Donald Trump Jr. on Monday called United States’ top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci a “tyrant” for supporting vaccine mandates on domestic flights. 

Fauci, the chief science adviser for President Joe Biden, recommended the federal government consider a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel amid skyrocketing COVID cases in the country. 

“If you want to do that with domestic flights, I think that’s something that seriously should be considered,” he said during an appearance on the MSNBC news program Morning Joe.

“When you make vaccination a requirement, that’s another incentive to get more people vaccinated.”

Fauci, however, refused to divulge if he has made such a recommendation to President Biden.

Also Read: Dr Anthony Fauci: US needs ‘to do better’ with COVID-19 home testing

Following this, Donald Trump Jr., the son of former President Donald Trump, criticised Fauci on Twitter. 

“‘Anything that could help more people get vaccinated would be welcome.’ So what then, force people at gunpoint? Don’t allow them to work or get food for their families? This man is a tyrant and a threat to whatever freedom we have left,” he tweeted. 

Also Read: Dr Anthony Fauci: US needs ‘to do better’ with COVID-19 home testing

US government figures showed that the omicron variant of coronavirus accounted for 59% of new cases in the country for the week ending Dec. 25, which is up from 23% the previous week.

Also Read: COVID-19: Anthony Fauci warns people against travelling amid omicron wave

In an interview with CNN, the White House pandemic adviser advised Americans to not hold New Year’s Eve parties.

“When you’re talking about a New Year’s Eve party, we have 30, 40, 50 people celebrating. You do not know the status of their vaccination, I would recommend strongly stay away from that this year,” he said.