Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) sharply criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
Dr. Fauci, who previously led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and became a prominent figure during the United States’ COVID-19 response, was summoned under subpoena to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Despite his frequent media appearances during the pandemic, Dr. Fauci was notably reticent during the hearing.
He invoked the Fifth Amendment in his opening remarks, declining to discuss his role in the COVID pandemic and allegations of misleading the American public.
According to Senator Joni Ernst, who spoke to Fox News, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times.
Senator Moreno expressed his frustration directly to Dr. Fauci.
“Here I am sitting in front of you six years later, saying, who the f*ck do you think you were for doing that?” Moreno challenged Fauci.
Senator Moreno continued, describing Fauci’s actions as a “total disgrace” and criticizing those who defended him. “If my Democrat colleagues are standing there defending you, I hope the voters — the United States of America, watch the clips of every one of you doting on a guy who is more interested in being a celebrity than saving American people,” he stated.
Moreno instructed a staff member to hand Dr. Fauci a copy of the U.S. Constitution as Fauci refused to answer questions with what Moreno described as smugness.
When asked if he understood the Fifth Amendment, Fauci reiterated the response advised by his attorneys.
Moreno urged Fauci to face those affected by his decisions on lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and mask mandates and offer an apology.
Fauci did not engage, which led Moreno to comment, “What a disgrace.”
“Fauci’s message to the countless Americans he locked in their homes, who were fired from their jobs over vax mandates, the children he forced to wear masks? “I plead the 5th.” Criminal,” Moreno added.
WATCH:
On Wednesday, Senator Rand Paul announced that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would vote on holding Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt for his refusal to respond to questions during the hearing.
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