Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has intensified calls for Anthony Fauci to face legal consequences, urging his prosecution for perjury and contempt of Congress. This follows Fauci’s decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times during a Senate hearing.

Cruz criticized Fauci’s lengthy service, saying he has shown contempt for both Congress and the American public over many years. He stated, “Years from now, they’ll look back and say, ‘What collective madness overtook this country?’” According to Cruz, Fauci’s diary indicates that he deliberately deceived the public multiple times.

During the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Fauci testified under subpoena about his involvement in the national COVID-19 response. His decision to plead the Fifth Amendment has sparked further debate. Chairman Rand Paul announced efforts to seek contempt charges against Fauci for his refusal to self-incriminate during the questioning.

Cruz commented on Fauci’s reputation: “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.” He labeled Fauci as “the most damaging bureaucrat in the history of America.”

The confrontation between Cruz and Fauci has roots in their longstanding disagreement over Fauci’s handling of the pandemic and accusations of misinformation regarding COVID-19’s origins. Cruz cited instances in Fauci’s diary, where early observations about the virus differed from public statements. These accounts suggested the possibility of lab origin, later dismissed publicly.

Additionally, Cruz accused Fauci of contributing to school lockdowns, noting discrepancies between private writings and public declarations. Fauci purportedly influenced shutdown decisions in states like New York and California, despite later denying involvement in closing schools.

Cruz highlighted the impact of these shutdowns: “The school shutdowns, which Fauci bragged that he was responsible for, may well be the single most destructive public policy step we’ve seen in decades. That learning loss will persist, affecting students long into their futures.”

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