Dr. Anthony Fauci spent years telling Americans to trust “the science” while imposing recommendations that upended everyday life. Families missed funerals, children lost precious years in the classroom, businesses shuttered, churches closed their doors, and countless Americans sacrificed milestones and livelihoods based on guidance they were told was beyond question.
Last week, Dr. Fauci finally had an opportunity to answer for those decisions before Congress. Instead of providing the transparency the American people deserve, he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than answering questions about his actions.
The hearing raised serious questions about Dr. Fauci’s shifting public guidance, his failure to consistently follow the recommendations he championed, and the use of taxpayer resources during his tenure. After years of demanding that Americans simply “trust the experts,” refusing to provide clear answers only deepens the distrust so many Americans already feel.
Every American—regardless of political party—deserves accountability from those entrusted with immense power. The families who missed birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays, and final moments with loved ones deserve more than silence. They deserve the truth.
No one is above accountability. Public servants who wield extraordinary authority over the lives of millions should be willing to answer straightforward questions from Congress and the American people. History will judge the decisions made during the pandemic, but accountability begins with transparency, and that is exactly what Americans were denied this week.
