Anthony Fauci's Devotion to this Country

We all know who Anthony Fauci is. He served the American public for over fifty years. He is a doctor, a scientist, and infectious disease expert. I came to know him as a frequent guest on my NPR program, The Diane Rehm Show, in his role as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. I relied on his knowledge when AIDS hit this country, as he worked to develop safe and effective drugs for treating HIV. Eventually he helped to save thousands of lives.

Then came Covid-19, a pandemic which had us all behind closed doors, fearful of going out for groceries, meeting with other people, or walking into a drugstore. Over time, 1.2 million people in this country died of the virus.

President Donald Trump called on Dr. Fauci to help explain the virus to the American people. He told us what we didn’t like hearing, and he did so with clarity and compassion. He urged us to get vaccinated, to stay away from large crowds, to wear masks, and to test for this very infectious disease. Schools were closed to keep children safe. Restaurants had few customers. All this to protect the public.

There were differing theories as to where the virus had emanated. Some continue to debate that issue. But now, after all these years, we have one man, Senator Rand Paul, who has decided that during his many hours of testimony about the origins of the virus, Dr. Fauci did not tell the truth. What particular truths the Senator has taken issue with, we do not know.

Now Senator Paul has decided, without putting the issue before the entire Senate as is usually the process (where he would likely NOT get the 60 votes necessary), to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress and to send the matter directly to the (as of now) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro.

This is a very serious matter, one that could mean that Dr. Fauci, a man who has done so much for all of us, could end up, at age 85, in prison.

I am just one citizen of the United States, but I believe this is an ugly act of vengeance on the part of Senator Paul, a man obsessed with prosecuting Dr. Fauci. I believe he wants Dr. Fauci behind bars to wreak havoc on his life because he disagreed with the manner in which Covid-19 was handled.

I wonder how many of you agree with me. If you do, I hope you will join me in protesting this terrible and irresponsible abuse of authority. Write letters. Make phone calls. Talk with your neighbors. Dr. Fauci does not deserve the wrath of one man trying to destroy his life.

Polls and recent elections show republicans are in trouble. Trying to take down a good and decent public servant of the United States who saved millions of lives will not serve them well.