If you’ve followed the Anthony Fauci saga over the past several years, you’ve probably experienced déjà vu more than once. Another hearing. Another showdown. Another promise that accountability may finally be around the corner.
This time, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says he plans to seek a Senate contempt vote after the former NIAID director repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during Wednesday’s hearing on the federal government’s COVID-19 response. Paul argued that Fauci’s refusal to answer questions obstructed Congress, while Fauci insisted he was following his attorney’s advice amid what he called an effort to prosecute him.
For Fauci’s critics, the question is simple: after years of investigations, subpoenas, document releases, and accusations over lockdowns, mandates, and government-funded virus research, will anything actually happen this time? History suggests skepticism is warranted.
Congress has threatened consequences before, yet Fauci has remained largely untouched. Some of that is thanks to his autopen pardon by former dementia patient, President Biden.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced Wednesday that his office is opening a state investigation into Fauci, citing what he called the former health official’s “lack of candor” before Congress and raising questions about whether any Florida laws may have been violated. The announcement is separate from congressional efforts to hold Fauci in contempt and, at this stage, does not include any criminal charges.
Will any of these threats result in anything meaningful? I’m not holding my breath – because in the nation’s capital, accountability often seems to have the longest incubation period of all.
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