Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene refuses to acknowledge him as doctor, says he should be ‘in prison’
June 3 (UPI) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the face of the federal handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, appeared before a U.S. House committee Monday, during which he received intense grilling from Republicans, including a member who refused to call him doctor.
Fauci was the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases until 2022 after serving from 1984, including under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. He also was their top medical adviser.
During the hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic response, including the vaccine development as well as mandates, and the origins of the virus, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., refused to address Fauci as a doctor when questioning him about COVID-era rules and how much he has earned from pharmaceutical companies.
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“Do you think that’s appropriate? Do the American people deserve to be abused like that, Mr. Fauci?” Greene asked Fauci. “Because you’re not a doctor, you’re Mr. Fauci in my few minutes.”
As he was about to answer, Greene said: “I don’t need your answer.”
Democratic members of the subcommittee issued “points of order” based on Greene’s statements.
Greene said that Fauci “does not deserve to have a license.”
And, she said: “You know what this committee should be doing? We should be recommending you to be prosecuted. We should be writing a criminal referral because you should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. You belong in prison, Dr. Fauci.”
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, the chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, reprimanded Greene for refusing to recognize Fauci as a doctor.
Fauci faced other grilling from Republicans as Democrats defended his work as a scientist. During the hearing, House members mostly made statements and didn’t offer much of an opportunity for Fauci to testify.
In January, Fauci appeared for 14 hours behind closed doors. Transcripts were released Monday.
On Monday, the House panel revealed emails that some Republicans believe were made by an NIH staffer regarding evading public records laws, including by not discussing controversial issues on government email.
In opening remarks, Fauci said, “To the best of my knowledge, I have never conducted official business via my personal email.”
A U.S. intelligence analysis says there’s insufficient evidence to prove the virus emerged at a wildlife market in Wuhan, China, or in a lab.
Fauci has maintained he was open to both stances.
“I have repeatedly stated that I have a completely open mind to either possibility and that if definitive evidence becomes available to validate or refute either theory, I will ready accept it,” he said in an opening statement.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, asked about the NIAID grant awarded to a Chinese lab.
“Does that have anything to do with that downplaying of the lab leak theory?” Jordan said.
“No, nothing,” Fauci said.
“Do you agree that there was a push to downplay the lab leak theory?” Jordan replied.
“Not on my part,” Fauci said.
“Really?” Rep. Jordan asked. “I think most of the country would find that amazing.”
Fauci said the United States needs to better prepare for another pandemic. “I am still disappointed” about plans, he said.
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