Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, renewed his fierce criticism of former top health official Anthony Fauci after Fauci declined to answer questions during a Senate hearing, prompting Moreno to call him Democrats’ “hero.”
Speaking Thursday evening, Moreno argued that Fauci’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic reflected a pursuit of government power rather than a focus on public health.
“This is about controlling American people,” Moreno said. “He treated us like lab rats.”
Moreno Accuses Fauci Of Seeking Government Control
Moreno said he believes Fauci’s pandemic policies represented a broader philosophy about the role of government and individual freedom.
“You want to give power to Democrats, socialists and communists in this country? They will take away your freedoms, they will take away your liberties, they’ll control you, they’ll replace you,” he said.
“They want to systematically destroy this country, and that’s why Fauci is their hero. He got to do what they only fantasize about, which is total and complete control of the American people.”
The Ohio senator’s comments followed a tense Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday. Fauci, advised by counsel, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions from committee members.
The hearing centered in part on Fauci’s handling of the pandemic and diary entries that lawmakers were examining.
Moreno Recalls Confrontation During Senate Hearing
Moreno and Fauci clashed during the hearing as senators pressed the former White House chief medical adviser over his role in pandemic-era decisions.
Moreno previously said Fauci’s influence over COVID-19 policies helped motivate him to seek a Senate seat. During the hearing, he confronted Fauci directly.
“Here I am sitting in front of you six years later saying, ‘Who the f— do you think you were for doing that? It is a total disgrace what you did to this country,'” Moreno said.
Asked Thursday if he still stood by those remarks, Moreno pointed to what he described as lasting damage from pandemic policies, particularly for children and small businesses.
“The reality is this guy damaged a lot of things in this country,” he said.
Internal Notes Fuel Fresh Criticism
Moreno also cited more than 1,000 pages of internal notes released by committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., before the hearing.
Paul has argued that the material indicates Fauci privately expressed views about COVID-19 that differed from some of his public statements.
Moreno sharply condemned Fauci’s conduct and argued that the former health official should face prosecution over his handling of the pandemic.
“This is one of the most depraved bureaucrats,” Moreno said, adding that Fauci should face prosecution over his handling of the pandemic.
Although former President Joe Biden granted Fauci a pardon, Moreno said state-level investigations could still move forward.
On Thursday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office would investigate after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during the Senate hearing.
“We know what he was actually thinking,” Moreno said. “We know he lied to the American people. State attorneys general, like the one in Florida—I hope the one in Ohio does the same thing. We got to pursue this guy.”
Moreno Criticizes Fauci’s Response To Hearing Audience
Moreno said one of the moments that frustrated him most occurred when he asked Fauci to apologize to people in the audience who said they had been harmed by, or disagreed with, pandemic policies.
“He wouldn’t even look at them,” Moreno said. “That’s how despicable this guy is.”
The confrontation comes as lawmakers continue examining Fauci’s actions and statements during the COVID-19 pandemic, while state officials consider whether further investigations are warranted.
Fauci’s attorney was contacted for comment.
