Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify before the Senate next month as part of a renewed inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Paul said the subpoena became necessary after Fauci allegedly failed to follow through on earlier discussions about appearing before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. The Kentucky senator said he intends to compel Fauci’s testimony in July.
“We’ve been negotiating with him for material and for testimony. This has gone on for some time,” Paul told CNBC. “He slow-walked us.”
In addition to questions about the pandemic’s origins, Paul said he plans to scrutinize the pardon Fauci received from then-President Joe Biden before Biden left office.
“There will be questions about did he seek the pardon, what specific crimes did he seek, did he ever meet with President Biden,” Paul said, “but there are also questions about can you have a pardon for a nonspecific crime, can you have a vague pardon.”
Paul acknowledged that Fauci may fight the subpoena in court. “I think it’s going to be a challenge to get him. I think we will have to fight him in court,” he said, while arguing that the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases should still be required to testify.
The push for Fauci’s testimony follows renewed attention on his handling of COVID-related issues after outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released files that, according to Paul, showed officials shielded Fauci from a whistleblower complaint accusing him of lying to Congress about “gain of function” research.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
