Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) intensified his criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci on Thursday, July 31, 2026, following Fauci's decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment and decline answering questions during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing.

Appearing on Fox News' "Hannity," Moreno called Fauci the Democrats' "hero," accusing him of treating Americans "like lab rats" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreno argued that Fauci's pandemic policies were motivated by a desire for power rather than public health, reflecting what Moreno believes Democrats ultimately want from government.

Moreno stated, "They want to systematically destroy this country, and that's why Fauci is their hero. He got to do what they only fantasize about, which is total and complete control of the American people."

During the hearing, Moreno confronted Fauci directly, saying, "Here I am sitting in front of you six years later saying, 'Who the f--- do you think you were for doing that? It is a total disgrace what you did to this country.'" Moreno also expressed that Fauci's influence over COVID-19 policies inspired him to run for the Senate.

Fauci was expected to be questioned about his diary entries related to his handling of the pandemic but declined to answer on legal advice. The hearing took place in Washington, D.C., on July 29, 2026.

Sources