Biden’s White House medical chief also says he ‘has a completely open mind’ on COVID origin
- The White House’s chief medical adviser appeared on multiple Sunday news programs before he’s expected to retire in December
- He told CBS News’ Face The Nation that he expects to testify before the House Republican majority in next year’s Congress, which lawmakers have called for
- Fauci also told NBC News and CBS News that he would keep an ‘open mind’ about the origins of COVID-19 but said it likely originated at a wet market
- He said the Trump administration’s ‘anti-China approach’ to finding out COVID-19’s origins likely put Beijing off from future collaboration
Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that he will ‘of course’ testify before House Republicans next year if asked, but ripped the GOP for running ‘anti-Fauci’ platforms in the recent midterm elections.
House Republicans’ many threats to investigate the Biden administration will get the chance to materialize next year after they narrowly won back the majority in Congress‘ lower chamber.
A large share of those have been targeted at the White House chief medical adviser and his role in handling the COVID-19 pandemic’s public health policies.
Speaking to CBS News’ Face The Nation on Sunday, Fauci would not give any details on his post-retirement plans, but said he was ready to testify before Congress to defend his record.
He did concede there were ‘absolutely’ legitimate questions to be asked about the virus’ potential origins in China – though on he blamed the Trump administration’s ‘accusatory’ approach to Beijing for the lack of answers today.
‘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 [of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases], literally hundreds of times, in many oversight hearings,’ Fauci said confidently.
The veteran virologist has faced a slew of attacks over the GOP’s skepticism and lingering anger over COVID-19 lockdowns and remote schooling, among other protective measures.
Prominent Republicans have painted him as a power-hungry bureaucrat who basked in the public prominence he gained during the pandemic. Fauci himself has said that the increased vitriol has led to threats against him and his family.
