Anthony Fauci, the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on June 3, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Despite retiring in 2022, Fauci revealed that he and his family continue to face "credible death threats" due to his role in managing the U.S. response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He shared that these threats have required him to maintain round-the-clock security.
During the hearing, Fauci described the harassment, including emails, texts, and letters, and mentioned two individuals had been arrested. He emphasized the severe emotional toll these threats have had on him and his family. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan questioned Fauci about his feelings, to which he responded emotionally, describing the situation as "terrible."
Fauci was subject to intense questioning from various members of the committee, particularly from Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Greene refused to acknowledge his professional status as a doctor and criticized his pandemic measures, such as masking and social distancing, even suggesting he should be prosecuted.
Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia of California defended Fauci, condemning Greene's questioning as "completely irresponsible." He praised Fauci and his team for their efforts during the pandemic. Garcia also shared his personal loss, mentioning that both his parents had died due to Covid-19.
The hearing highlighted the ongoing political tensions surrounding the pandemic response and the personal impact on those involved in managing it.