During a congressional hearing, virologist Anthony Fauci and Senator Rand Paul had a heated exchange. An unusual sight.
Republicans verbally speaking about him? If Anthony knows Fauci, he’s almost used to it. They already demanded, attributed to him, that his former boss called him “a disaster”, a “self-promoter” that no one wanted to listen to anymore. It can be assumed that the former US President Donald Trump, himself, wore the knot in his ear. In the fight against Corona, he was mainly noticed through procrastination, very much.
And yet: the top virologist and advisor to the White House in the corona pandemic has so far confidently rolled off the criticism. Alone: Fauci is said to have answered even negative e-mails “politely, cautiously and empathetically”, always signed with a simple “Tony” ().
In this respect, Rand Paul has now achieved something unique: The Republican Senator from the US state of Kentucky has provoked the otherwise controlled Fauci into an angry speech. During one, Paul indirectly accused the virologist of lying at a May hearing. A serious accusation – which Fauci did not want to leave standing.
“Senator, you have no idea what you’re talking about,” says Fauci
Republican Paul, who is considered a loyal Trump man and speaks out against wearing mouth and nose protection, accused Fauci of having provided false information about virus research.
The background is so-called “gain of function” research, in which the properties of viruses, for example, are artificially changed in the laboratory in order to be able to research them in more detail. This research is said to have been carried out in Wuhan, China, as Senator Paul suggested. The coronavirus was first detected in this province. There are so far unsubstantiated theories that the virus could have its origin here.
The US portal “Deadline” reported that Paul cited a Chinese report as alleged evidence. The report was published in 2017 and deals with the Sars virus, which spread in 2003. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sars-CoV-2, i.e. the coronavirus, was first detected in December 2019.
Allegedly, the research in Wuhan was co-financed by the American National Institutes of Health (NIH), i.e. by the agency that also runs Fauci’s research department. Paul’s accusation: Fauci knew about the alleged funding – but lied in response to a question in Congress in May. “Dr. Fauci, knowing that it is a crime to lie in front of Congress, would you like to withdraw your testimony?” Asked Republican Paul.
Enter: Fauci.
With a certain voice – and “unmistakable Brooklyn accent” – Fauci denied the allegations. “Senator Paul, I never lied to Congress and I will not withdraw my testimony.” The paper to which the Republican refers had been checked by qualified employees and had nothing to do with the “gain of function” research. “Let me finish,” Fauci fended off attempts by Paul to interrupt the virologist during his testimony.
Both gave nothing to each other, repeatedly mouthed each other. Fauci finally comes to the conclusion: “To be honest, Senator Paul, you don’t know what you are talking about,” said Fauci. “I want to say that officially. You have no idea what you’re talking about.” His conclusion: “If anyone is lying here, Senator, it’s you.”
The Guardian wrote with relish about the battle of words: “The Senator bit off more than he could chew.” One more Republican who rolls off his criticism of the – otherwise – controlled Fauci.
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