Sen. Ted Cruz Calls for Anthony Fauci’s Contempt Charges

Senator Ted Cruz from Texas is urging legal action against Anthony Fauci, the former White House COVID-19 adviser. Cruz wants Fauci to be held in contempt, prosecuted for perjury, and imprisoned. This follows Fauci’s decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment right over 100 times during a Senate hearing.

Cruz shared his views with Fox News Digital. He stated, “Years from now they’ll look back and say, ‘What collective madness overtook this country?’” Cruz accused Fauci of having long-held contempt for Congress and the American public. He referenced Fauci’s diary, suggesting it shows repeated dishonesty to the American people.

FAUCI PLEADS FIFTH WITH ‘ZERO LEGAL JUSTIFICATION’ AS CRITICS ERUPT AND DEMAND CONTEMPT CHARGES

Fauci, the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified under subpoena. He discussed his role in the COVID-19 pandemic response at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C.

Cruz’s comments came after Senator Rand Paul, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, announced he would pursue contempt charges. Paul criticized Fauci for refusing to answer questions at the hearing. Cruz remarked, “Dr. Fauci ought to think about what it says about the end of his career, that what he will be remembered for the most is pleading the fifth more than 100 times.”

RAND PAUL SEEKS CONTEMPT CHARGES AFTER FAUCI INVOKES FIFTH AMENDMENT MORE THAN 100 TIMES

Cruz and Fauci have a history of conflict over the latter’s handling of the pandemic. Cruz accused Fauci of misleading Congress and the American public about COVID-19’s origins. This claim is supported by Fauci’s diaries, which initially suggested a laboratory origin of the virus. However, Fauci later downplayed this possibility in public statements.

Cruz also criticized Fauci for allegedly advocating school lockdowns in New York and California, contrary to his public statements. In his diary, Fauci described convincing government officials to lock down schools, despite publicly denying his role in such decisions. Cruz described these school closures as a harmful public policy decision.

Cruz concluded, “He knew he was lying to the American people. He should be held in contempt, prosecuted for perjury, and go to jail.”

Hannah is a Production Assistant for the Politics team at Fox News Digital.