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Who is Dr James Phillips? Here's why he slammed Trump for putting secret service agents's 'lives at risk'

Dr Phillips spoke about the structure of the vehicle carrying the president, which could lead to higher chances of those sharing the space with him coming in contact with the Covid-19 virus

Even though President Donald Trump’s doctors said that he would be discharged as early as Monday, October 5, following his treatment at Walter Reed medical center for the novel coronavirus, POTUS decided to take a stroll in his car on Sunday (October 4) afternoon to wave at his supporters who had lined up outside the hospital. 

The fact that an infected Trump decided to drive around in his SUV was condemned by many, including the serving doctors at Walter Reed, who have openly expressed their disappointment in the president for his carelessness, which could cost the lives of the people who were present in the car during his Sunday drive. 

Among those speaking critically of Trump is Dr James Phillips of Walter Reed, who took to Twitter to share his opinion about Trump’s misadventures, stating how the “irresponsibility is astounding” while talking about the possibility of every single person present in the vehicle getting infected by the deadly virus, especially the secret service agents.

Dr Phillips tweeted, "Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential 'drive-by' just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity."

In another tweet, he further spoke about the structure of the vehicle carrying the president, which could lead to higher chances of those sharing the space with him coming in contact with the Covid-19 virus. He shared, "That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play."

A couple of other doctors and professors from the medical center seconded Dr Phillips as they reflected on the president's ignorance with respect to the disease and its consequences. Professor of medicine and surgery at George Washinton University, Dr Jonathan Reiner, wrote, "By taking a joy ride outside Walter Reed the president is placing his Secret Service detail at grave risk. In the hospital when we go into close contact with a COVID patient we dress in full PPE: Gown, gloves, N95, eye protection, hat. This is the height of irresponsibility."

Who is Dr James Phillips?

Dr James Phillips is an emergency medicine physician in Washington, District of Columbia, affiliated with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His tweets about Trump's "drive-by" have gone viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of likes, comments and re-tweets. 

The doctor has also used the platform to extensively talk about Trump's condition since his admission to Walter Reed offering the latest statements on his Covid-19 diagnosis and treatment.

Meanwhile, Dr Phillip's tweets have sparked conversation among Twitter users, who have called out the president for his "stunt" and questioned his motives. One Twitter user wrote, "How about all the people in his path from the hospital room to the car and back again? And how sick can he be if he can pull this stunt off? The COVID patients I’ve seen can barely walk from their bed to the bathroom. What kind of charade is this?" Another noted, "If anything, Trump’s behavior after getting Covid should crystallize why he shouldn’t be in any public office, let alone the presidency. Purposely endangering people who are supposed to protect the president is unforgivable" One noted, "That was my first thought. Those poor men in the car had no choice; they had to be there and sit near him. Absolutely disgusting behavior on trump's part."