‘You Keep Distorting The Truth’
Topline
Of their newest fiery trade, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) claimed throughout a Senate listening to that White Home Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci “sought to smear” scientists he disagreed with, whereas the nation’s main infectious illness skilled in flip accused the senator of “coming again to private assaults on me which have completely no relevance to actuality.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci reveals a display seize of a marketing campaign web site whereas answering questions from Sen. Rand … [+]
POOL/AFP by way of Getty Photos
Key Info
Paul’s questioning of Fauci throughout a hearing on the pandemic response convened by the Committee on Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions shortly took a private flip when the senator accused the director of the Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Ailments of attempting “to destroy the reputations of different scientists who disagree with him.”
Dr. Fauci in flip mentioned that “in normal vogue” Sen. Paul was “distorting all the things about me,” referencing the bitter feud between the 2 from as far back as 2020.
He contended that the senator was utilizing “a catastrophic epidemic in your political acquire” and that Paul was personally attacking him “with completely not a shred of proof of something you say.”
The practically nine-minute trade was punctuated by interruptions and raised voices and solely ended due to time constraints.
Essential Quote
“What occurs when he will get out and accuses me of issues which are utterly unfaithful is that rapidly that kindles the crazies on the market and I’ve threats upon my life, harassment of my household and my kids with obscene cellphone calls as a result of persons are mendacity about me,” Fauci mentioned of Paul.
Key Background
Fauci and Paul have sparred fiercely all through the pandemic on a variety of Covid-related points such because the origins of the virus and the edge of herd immunity. Paul beforehand called for Fauci’s resignation, whereas the White Home advisor in flip has repeatedly accused the junior senator from Kentucky of misconstruing statements he’s made. On Tuesday, Fauci pointed to the variety of death threats he’s obtained due to his work, and one incident specifically when a California man was arrested last month after allegedly planning to kill various outstanding figures together with Fauci and former President Barack Obama.
Contra
A number of Democratic senators got here to the protection of Fauci following Paul’s feedback, together with Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). “We’re having a struggle in opposition to this virus. And identical to in any wartime state of affairs, errors have severe penalties,” he mentioned to the panel, which additionally included CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and Performing Commissioner of the FDA Dr. Janet Woodcock. “However I recognize greater than I can say how a lot work you all have completed. And I don’t assume anybody right here thinks you’re not attempting your absolute best on a regular basis.”
Additional Studying
Fauci says Sen. Paul’s attacks ‘kindle the crazies’ who have threatened his life (NBC Information)
‘You are distorting everything about me’: Fauci tears into Rand Paul amid new Project Veritas smear campaign (The Unbiased)
Fauci accuses Rand Paul of using pandemic for “political gain” (Axios)
Fauci clashes with Paul, says attacks kindle ‘the crazies’ (The Hill)
Six times Fauci and Rand Paul clashed in hearings (The Hill)
Sacramento-area man charged in threats against Obama, Clinton, Fauci (The Sacramento Bee)
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