The most famous scientist in America is facing retirement.

After more than five decades of federal service under seven presidents, Anthony Fauci says he's leaving by the end of President Joe Biden's term. In a wide-ranging interview with POLITICO, he spoke of his legacy, the hard truths about the country's pandemic response and his desire to calm the politicization wracking the country.

"We're in a pattern now. If somebody says, 'You'll leave when we don't have Covid anymore,' then I will be 105. I think we're going to be living with this," Biden's chief medical adviser said when asked whether he is staying in his role out of a sense of obligation.

He's not. But his assessment, that we'll live with Covid-19 for many years to come, is a startling admission from the longtime infectious disease expert who said the country could flatten the curve and achieve herd immunity, first through social distancing and then vaccination.