Far-Right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Leads Charge
On Monday, June 3, Republicans aggressively questioned Dr. Anthony Fauci, aiming to investigate his role in the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus’s origins. This House subcommittee hearing marked Fauci’s first public testimony since leaving his government position in December 2022.
Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene leads charge
Leading the charge was far-right Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who did not hold back in her questioning of the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Greene, known for her direct and often controversial rhetoric, challenged Fauci’s decisions regarding social distancing mandates, alleging they lacked scientific support.
“You’re not ‘Doctor,’ you’re ‘Mr.’ Fauci in my few minutes,” Greene asserted, presenting a photograph of Fauci with his mask down at a 2020 baseball game, to question his adherence to his own guidelines.
The intensity of Greene’s questioning caused significant disruption in the hearing, prompting Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) to demand that she address Fauci respectfully as “Doctor.” Despite repeated appeals for civility from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, Greene remained steadfast in her approach.
“You belong in prison, Dr. Fauci”
In her closing statement, Greene accused Fauci of committing crimes against humanity, stating, “You belong in prison, Dr. Fauci.”
Prior to the hearing, Greene had referred to Fauci as “Dr. Frankenstein” on Twitter, soliciting questions from her followers and reiterating her stance that Fauci should be prosecuted. She continued her accusations on social media, tweeting, “Prison. That’s where Anthony Fauci belongs. Not sitting in a committee hearing lying to our face. Mr. Fauci should be prosecuted and thrown in jail.”