US President Donald Trump has accused the "deep state" in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of trying to slow down the search for a vaccine until after the November election.
He suggested on Twitter - without any evidence - that "they are hoping to delay" finding a successful drug for Covid-19 by working to slow testing of vaccines and treatments.
Mr Trump said the deep state "or whoever" at the FDA was making it "very difficult" for drug companies to enroll people in clinical trials to test vaccines and therapies for coronavirus.
He addressed his tweet to FDA commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn.
The accusation came after Reuters reported on Thursday that a top FDA official said he would resign if the Trump administration approved a vaccine before it was shown to be safe and effective.
The US president often uses Twitter to criticise federal agencies, sometimes accusing them of being controlled by the "deep state" in an apparent reference to long-serving staff who, his eyes, are determined to undermine his agenda.
The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics. Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives! @SteveFDA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020
His tweet increases the pressure on the FDA after Peter Marks, director of its Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Last week, he said on a conference call with government officials, pharmaceutical executives and academics that he would resign if the agency rubber-stamped an unproven vaccine.
Scientists, public health officials and lawmakers are worried that the Trump administration will push the FDA to approve a vaccine in advance of the election, even if data from clinical trials do not support its widespread use.
Yesterday, President Donald Trump, his wife Melania and their extended family attended the funeral of his brother, Robert.
Robert Trump passed away on 15 August at the age of 71 in a New York hospital.
His funeral service took place at the White House.
Afterwards, Mr Trump and his wife accompanied the casket as it made its way down the front steps of the North Portico and was loaded into a hearse.
In a statement, the US president said of Robert: "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend."
