Critics and allies chime in after Fauci hearing

Critics and allies chime in after Fauci hearing 

Former chief White House medical advisor Anthony Fauci’s ability to command public fixation is proving resilient this week as figures from media, sports and health all give their two scents on his recent Senate appearance. 

Fauci effectively provided nothing to the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) on Wednesday when he adamantly refused to answer any questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times throughout the three-hour hearing. 

The veteran government scientist has been retired from federal work for more than three years now, but still his presence on the Hill was enough to incur comments and criticism from across the public. 

Private diary entries released soon before the hearing showed that Fauci seemed to enjoy some of the attention he received early on in the pandemic. After stepping down from government work, however, he would later lament on the threats of violence his family has faced.

Democratic political strategist James Carville spoke up in Fauci’s defense following the hearing, saying on a podcast, “The main thing we learned from the release of his personal texts or emails or whatever it was, is we didn’t f—ing learn anything.” 

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took a jab at Fauci on Thursday during a press conference when asked whether Marcus Epps had the inside track on the starting safety job, saying, “I’m gonna be like Fauci and just take the Fifth Amendment on all questions.” 

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith lambasted Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth. 

“As it strictly pertains to the coronavirus pandemic, my attitude is, with you being the face that you have been, you can’t show up on Capitol Hill and plead the Fifth 111 times,” Smith told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo. 

Deborah Birx, former coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and a one-time colleague of Fauci’s, appeared to criticize Fauci’s refusal to answer any questions, saying in an interview that public health officials ” need to answer the questions that the senators have.” 

HSGAC Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said following the hearing that the “question of contempt will be voted on.”  

Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.

NFL coach jabs at Fauci while taking questions from reporters

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took a couple of shots at Dr. Anthony Fauci over his repeated use of the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on Wednesday. “I’m gonna be like Fauci and just take the Fifth Amendment on all questions,” Fangio said, when a reporter asked whether Marcus Epps had the inside track on the starting safety job. “Did you guys see that? Oh my god,” Fangio added, grinning and shaking …

Local and state headlines on healthcare:

• State budget eliminates NC’s Office of Health Equity (North Carolina Health News) 
• Mass. Senate joins push to loosen restrictions on late-term abortions (NBC Boston) 
• Coalition calling for a ‘healthcare cost freeze’ in Pa. as insurers request rate increases (Pennsylvania Capital-Star) 

Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

• They worked to protect public health. Now they want the public’s votes. (KFF Health News) 
• Syphilis spreads while researchers contend with federal constraints and a drug shortage (Stat) 
• VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans (Military Times)

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow! 

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