Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ director who became the face of the U.S. medical community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is testifying before the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.
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Big picture view:
Fauci, whose nearly 40 years as the head of NIAID stretch back to the early years of the AIDS epidemic, was subpoenaed to testify before the committee. Sen. Rand Paul explained when announcing the subpoena that it had been issued after Fauci backed out of an agreement to appear voluntarily.
The backstory:
As the day of the testimony drew near, Paul released hundreds of pages from Fauci’s personal diary that the doctor’s critics allege show his personal infatuation with his newfound celebrity and repeated instances where they say his views expressed in the diary clashed with his contemporaneous public statements, including on the origins of the virus and the effectiveness of recommended precautions.
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What they’re saying:
Even before Fauci’s appearance, Paul and another Kentucky Republican, Rep. James Comer, have threatened him with criminal action if he were to lie during Wednesday’s appearance before the committee. They specifically cited a preemptive pardon given to Fauci by former President Joe Biden in the waning days of his administration and argued it would not be applicable.
“Americans are still reaping the consequences of Dr. Fauci’s actions,” Comer told Fox News Digital. “Biden’s pardon doesn’t cover Dr. Fauci’s testimony this week and if he continues to lie, he must be held accountable.”
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