Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci to be prosecuted for allegedly lying to Congress, and says he should receive five years in prison.
During an appearance on Fox News on Thursday, Paul said, āWeāve referred to the Department of Justiceā¦ Fauci should go to prison for five years for lying to Congress. Theyāve prosecuted other people.ā
āAt the very least, he should be taken out of his position, because I think he has cost peopleās lives through misinformation,ā he added.
Watch the video below:
Paul has repeatedly sparred with Fauci during Senate hearings, as IJR reported.
In July, the Kentucky senator referred Fauci for criminal prosecution for allegedly lying about whether the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded gain-of-function research in China.
And in November, the two men once again discussed the subject during a Senate hearing, and Paul called for the infectious disease expert to resign.
Fauci denied that the NIH funded gain-of-function research and added, āIt makes me very uncomfortable to have to say something, but he is egregiously incorrect in what he says.ā
āHistory will figure that out on its own,ā Paul fired back.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has also called for Fauci to be prosecuted.
When asked about Cruzās call for his prosecution, Fauci said, āI have to laugh at that. I should be prosecuted?ā
āWhat happened on Jan. 6, senator?ā he asked.
His comment refers to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol when supporters of former President Donald Trumpstormed the building and interrupted lawmakers as they were certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Additionally, he brushed off Republican attacks against him as he said, āThatās OK. Iām just gonna do my job, and Iām gonna be saving lives, and theyāre gonna be lying.ā