Dr. Anthony Fauci defends Covid response

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Doctor Anthony Fauci was under fire on Capitol Hill.

Republicans grilled the former official about the Covid pandemic and the government’s response.

For over a year now a Republican-led committee has investigated how the government handled the pandemic.

From the start accusations were flying.

“That man does not serve to have a license as a matter of fact it should be revoked and he belongs in prison,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)

Republicans railed against the country’s former top infectious disease expert.

“You made up the covid rules including six feet social distancing and masking of children,” said Greene.

Fauci responded, “I never said I made anything up.”

The goal of Monday’s congressional hearing was to discuss the U.S. response to Covid-19 and to examine opposing theories about whether the virus came from nature or leaked from a Chinese laboratory.

“I keep an open mind for what the origin is,” said Fauci.

Republicans also pressed Dr. Fauci on controversial Covid policies and criticized government shutdowns that hurt businesses, students and the economy.

“Time after time again people’s lives were destroyed,” said Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas.).

Dr. Fauci pushed back defending many of the choices that the government made during the pandemic.

“Vaccines save lives. It is very very clear that vaccines have saved hundreds of thousands,” said Fauci.

Democrats slammed Republicans for how they treated the former public servant and for continuing to spread what they called baseless conspiracies.

“These are outrageous concoctions fabrications and distortions,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).

Democrats say the claims have consequences. Dr. Fauci left his government position at the end of 2022. This was his first time testifying publicly since then.

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