Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has defended his use of strong language during a Senate hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci. The hearing took place before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Rand Paul.
Dr. Fauci, previously the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was called to testify regarding the origins of the COVID-19 virus. Senator Paul has repeatedly accused Fauci of misinformation. Although Fauci has denied these claims, during this session, he chose to invoke the Fifth Amendment, refraining from further responses. Despite a pardon from former President Joe Biden in early 2025, some Republicans suggested possible perjury charges might arise from his recent testimony.
“Who do you think you were for doing that? It is a total disgrace what you did to this country.” – Senator Moreno
Senator Moreno, from Ohio, expressed his anger as Fauci refused to answer. He voiced that his political career was inspired by the arrest of a woman at a middle school football game in 2020 for not wearing a mask.
Following the hearing, Moreno appeared on The Scott Jennings Show, a conservative radio broadcast, to discuss his comments. “That was me being nice,” he remarked, suggesting his words were restrained. He pressed on the harm he believes Fauci caused, affecting millions.
Moreno stated that Fauci’s silence could be contempt of Congress and called for a vote on the matter. “This guy’s got to be held accountable. People paid a price, he needs to pay a price,” he added.
Senator Paul announced that the committee will decide next week whether to hold Fauci in contempt. The decision on pursuing further legal actions remains unspecified.
This story is ongoing, with further updates expected.