Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is reacting to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s retirement plans by suggesting that the infectious disease expert will be asked to testify under oath even after he leaves the government.
In a tweet on Monday, Paul wrote, “Fauci’s resignation will not prevent a full-throated investigation into the origins of the pandemic.”
“He will be asked to testify under oath regarding any discussions he participated in concerning the lab leak,” he added.
Fauci’s resignation will not prevent a full-throated investigation into the origins of the pandemic. He will be asked to testify under oath regarding any discussions he participated in concerning the lab leak.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 22, 2022
The Kentucky senator has previously sparred with Fauci over whether he believes COVID-19 originated in bats or whether it leaked from a lab in China, as IJR reported.
Paul was not the only lawmaker to suggest that Fauci’s retirement would not spare him from possible investigations.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote, “Republicans must remain committed to holding Fauci accountable even after he steps down to make sure no one in his position ever abuses the public trust again.”
Republicans must remain committed to holding Fauci accountable even after he steps down to make sure no one in his position ever abuses the public trust again https://t.co/lakLRDYXLL
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) August 22, 2022
Meanwhile, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wrote, “So Dr. Fauci is stepping down in December.”
“That won’t stop a Republican Congress from telling the truth about his disastrous tenure and holding him accountable for the mistakes he made and the lies he told,” he added.
So Dr. Fauci is stepping down in December.
— Rep. Darrell Issa (@repdarrellissa) August 22, 2022
That won’t stop a Republican Congress from telling the truth about his disastrous tenure and holding him accountable for the mistakes he made and the lies he told.
Meanwhile, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement, “Retirement can’t shield Dr. Fauci from congressional oversight. Emails obtained by Oversight Committee Republicans reveal what Dr. Fauci said publicly about COVID origins was very different than what was said privately. Dr. Fauci was warned by top scientists early on that the virus looked genetically manipulated and likely leaked from the Wuhan lab.”
“Despite these facts, Dr. Fauci dismissed these ideas in public as conspiracy theories. We need to know if Dr. Fauci concealed anything from government officials in order to shield the NIH’s cozy relationship with EcoHealth Alliance, a grantee that awarded taxpayer funds to the Wuhan lab to conduct dangerous research on bat coronaviruses,” he continued.
Fauci revealed his plans to retire after spending nearly four decades leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have led the NIAID, an extraordinary institution, for so many years and through so many scientific and public health challenges. I am very proud of our many accomplishments,” Fauci said in a statement.
He added, “While I am moving on from my current positions, I am not retiring. After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field.”
President Joe Biden reacted to Fauci’s plans in a statement. He argued that the U.S. is “stronger, more resilient, and healthier because of [Fauci].”