Former Biden Advisor Fauci to Testify Before Congressional Panel
Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to President Biden, will testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on June 3rd. This will be the first time that Fauci appears before a congressional panel since his departure from government work in late 2022.
Subcommittee Chair Raises Concerns
Subcommittee Chair Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) has expressed concerns about Fauci’s testimony, particularly regarding his statements about systemic failures in the public health system. Fauci has testified that the ‘6 feet apart’ social distancing guideline, which caused widespread shutdowns and had a significant impact on American society, ‘sort of just appeared.’
Closed-Door Interviews Focus on Key Issues
Fauci agreed to two days of closed-door interviews in January, during which the panel focused on gain-of-function research, alleged federal records violations, conflicts of interest, and confusion surrounding pandemic guidance. Fauci was accompanied by attorneys throughout the interviews.
Lawmakers Provide Insights
Lawmakers have indicated that Fauci provided clarifications during the closed sessions, although Wenstrup noted that Fauci claimed to not recall details about the pandemic on several occasions. A transcript of the interviews will be released prior to the June hearing, providing further insights into the discussions.
Public Scrutiny and Accountability
Fauci’s testimony and the release of the interview transcripts will allow for public scrutiny and accountability regarding his role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic will continue to investigate the federal government’s response to the pandemic and seek to identify areas for improvement.
