Donald Trump fires entire Presidential HIV/AIDS advisory council

President Trump has dismissed the entire Presidential advisory council on HIV/AIDS.

The Republican leader has been harshly criticised over his handling of HIV/AIDS issues, with activists warning that proposed cuts to healthcare, HIV prevention and international aid threaten to spark a new epidemic.

But the politician, who has faced warnings from former President George W Bush over the issue, this week decided to dismiss the entirety of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

According to Newsweek, all members of the council were informed of their dismissal by a letter sent via courier.

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The move comes after the quiet closure of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, which was shuttered as part of the Presidential transition and never re-opened as Trump failed to appoint a new director.

Chicago-based HIV activist Scott A Schoettes, a former member of the council, laid into the decision.

He tweeted: “Remaining #HIV/AIDS council members booted by @realDonaldTrump. No respect for their service. Dangerous that #Trump and Co. (Pence esp.) are eliminating few remaining people willing to push back against harmful policies, like abstinence-only sex ed.”

Mr Schoettes accused Trump of “executing a purge” by eliminating the council in combination with other policies. It was reported earlier this month that federal agencies had been banned from using the word ‘transgender’.

Several members of the advisory council had already resigned in protest at Trump-era rollbacks on HIV/AIDS earlier this year.