Anthony Fauci is about to leave a post he’s held for decades. But the criticism he’s faced for his COVID-19 response is far from over—something he’s well aware of, he indicated Sunday.
Fauci will step down next month as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, having advised every president since Ronald Reagan as the White House’s chief medical adviser.
His departure from the job won’t mean a departure from the public However, he is being viewed by House Republicans, who accuse him of lying during the pandemic and abusing his power. vowed to examine You will need to ask him for testimony under oath.
Kevin McCarthy expected to be Next year, house speaker tweeted in August:
“Dr. Fauci lost the trust of the American people when his guidance unnecessarily kept schools closed and businesses shut while obscuring questions about his knowledge on the origins of COVID. He owes the American people answers. A @HouseGOP majority will hold him accountable.”
The GOP, despite a “red wave” Although the House did not win enough seats in the midterms to secure control, it did win enough seats that the House was able to be retaken. This will give Republican legislators the power to launch investigations focused on Fauci.
Speaking Sunday on CBS’ Face the Nation, Fauci said He would “absolutely” If asked, testify in front of Congress and cooperate with an investigation into the handling of the pandemic.
“Oh, of course. I mean, I’m very much in favor of—of legitimate oversight. Absolutely. I mean, I’ve testified before Congress, given the 38 years that I’ve been director, literally hundreds of times, in many oversight hearings,” Fauci said.
While Fauci has most recently dealt with COVID and monkeypox, he’s also faced the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the West Nile virus, Ebola, and other threats over the decades.
Anti-Fauci Campaigns
Sunday, he stated that Republicans had “clearly politicized” public health, adding, “It is very clear when people are running their campaigns with an anti-Fauci element to it. That’s ridiculous. I mean, this is a public health issue. So yeah, it’s going to keep going likely much more geared towards me.”
He added, “But, he said. “I didn’t get involved before in the politics and I’m not going to get involved now in the politics. I’d be more than happy to explain publicly or otherwise, everything that we’ve done.”
He also spoke on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, saying he’s “very troubled” American politics is divided.
“As a public health official, I don’t want to see anyone suffer and die from COVID. I don’t care if you’re a far-right Republican or a far-left Democrat, everybody deserves to have the safety of good public health, and that’s not happening.”
He pointed out that COVID is still a major cause of death for between 300-400 people each day. The latest vaccine boosters are being used to combat the disease. has Below 15% “I think the idea that, ‘Forget it, this is over’—it isn’t,” He said this, warning that America is still “certainly” The pandemic.
On Tuesday Fauci What will be delivered? his final COVID briefing As chief medical advisor to the White House
“My message…maybe the final message I get from this podium, is that please, for your own safety, for that of your family, get your updated COVID-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible to protect yourself, your family, and your community,” He stated.
On Meet the Press, he described how he’d like to be remembered.
“I hope to be remembered for what I’ve tried to do, just bring science and medicine and public health principles to very serious crises we’ve had,” He stated. “As I’ve said before, I’ve given it everything I have to do that.”
His critics hope he’ll be remembered in other ways, and sparks will likely fly in congressional hearings next year.
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