Rand Paul releases Dr. Anthony Fauci’s diaries ahead of hearing showdown

Key Points:

• Dr. Anthony Fauci, a longtime government infectious disease expert, is set to testify again before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in a contentious hearing led by Sen. Rand Paul, who has frequently criticized Fauci’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Fauci initially resisted the subpoena issued by Paul in June, citing past confrontations and baseless calls from Paul to prosecute him, but will appear amid ongoing political and public scrutiny.
• The committee released over 1,100 pages of Fauci’s personal diary from 2019 to 2022, revealing his concerns about Covid-19, frustrations with government responses, complex relationships with Trump and Biden administrations, and his rise to celebrity status.
• Sen. Paul has repeatedly accused Fauci of funding gain-of-function research linked to the pandemic, allegations Fauci denies; President Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Fauci, though Paul has threatened to pursue perjury charges if Fauci lies in the upcoming hearing.
• Fauci’s diaries also document his media strategy, interactions with celebrities, and the personal toll of political attacks, including the firing of Fauci’s wife and reassignment of close colleagues during the Trump administration.