Sparks flew between Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci during a heated moment at a Senate Health Committee COVID-19 hearing on Tuesday.
President Biden's chief medical adviser erupted at the Republican lawmaker early in the hearing for attacking him 'without a shred of evidence' and blaming him for threats to him and his family's safety.
'What happens when he gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue, is that all of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there, and I have life -- threats upon my life, harassments of my family, and my children? Well, I've seen phone calls, because people are lying about me,' a visibly angered Fauci said.
He and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Wallensky are testifying on the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic toward the end of its second year in front of the Senate panel.
Paul, among Fauci's most vocal critics, referenced emails published by Republican lawmakers on Tuesday containing an exchange between Fauci and his boss, Dr. Francis Collins, in which they dismiss a report that the pandemic originated in a lab.
He accused Fauci of 'using government resources to center and to destroy the reputations of other scientists who disagree with him.'
'Do you really think it's appropriate to use your $440,000 salary to attack science? Paul asked.
Fauci issued his most scathing rebuke of Senator Rand Paul yet, directly telling the Kentucky Republican that his criticism has lead to threats on him and his family
Paul is among Fauci's most vocal critics, blaming him for thousands of COVID deaths and blasting his COVID health directives as 'tyrannical'
Fauci attempted to correct Paul but the pair wound up talking over each other in an increasingly heated back-and-forth.
'I think in usual fashion, Senator, you are distorting everything about me,' Fauci said.
Paul began attacking Fauci for a
