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The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s hearing with Anthony Fauci on Capitol Hill got off to a rocky start Wednesday morning when Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., ordered one of Fauci’s lawyers removed after he repeatedly refused to stop disrupting the proceedings.
Fauci refused to respond to questions from Paul, repeatedly invoking the Fifth Amendment.
The hearing then took a turn when attorney David Schertler, whom Paul identified as one of Fauci’s “half a dozen” lawyers, attempted to speak without being recognized.
“You are not recognized, you’re not recognized. If you are unruly, you will be removed from the proceeding,” Paul warned.
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Despite this, Schertler, who was seated beside Fauci, continued to speak.
This prompted Paul to admonish him, saying, “You will respect these proceedings. You were told not to sit at the table. You insist on sitting at the table. And we told you would not be recognized. You are not invited here for testimony, sir. You are being disruptive. Would you behave this way in a courtroom? No, because the judge would put you in jail. I can’t do that today. But I can have you escorted from the premises. So, I would say, sir, sit quietly and don’t say another word.”
“Another word and you’re gone,” Paul added.
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Ranking Member Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., cut in, saying, “I’d like to hear what the the attorney has to say.”
However, Paul responded, “This testimony is from Anthony Fauci. This is not a game with his lawyers.”
“His lawyers can give him advice. He’s got a half dozen here. They’re all allowed to talk to him, alright? But the attorneys are not recognized. In fact, the attorney was told not to sit at the table, and he’s not obeying that recommendation. There’s a row behind you, sir. That’s where you were told to sit, and you’re not. And now you’re disrupting the proceedings,” said Paul. “This is the way Anthony Fauci wants to be remembered for a lawyer not listening to the rules. That’s the way you want to be remembered, and that’s what you’re going to do.”
Despite these warnings, the man continued speaking, prompting Paul to ask security to “please remove him from the room.”
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As Paul said this, several people in the gallery broke into applause.
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As the man was removed, Paul stated, “Let the record state that Dr. Fauci will still have the advice of the other half a dozen attorneys that he brought along today.”
Though former President Joe Biden issued an unconditional preemptive pardon to Fauci, Senate Republicans have emphasized that the pardon will not protect Fauci if he lies to Congress on Wednesday.
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