Washington — Members of Congress, their staffers and one of the world's most famous doctors, Dr. Anthony Fauci, sat for 14 hours over two days last week around a long conference table in a private office in the basement of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. They took breaks to munch on sandwiches, salads, cookies and chips. And the two main players shook hands at the very end.
The marathon closed-door interview sessions with Fauci, who helped spearhead the federal government's response to the COVID pandemic, are setting the stage for a higher-profile public hearing and interrogation in late spring or early summer, according to multiple sources who spoke with CBS News. And the questioning will happen in the middle of a heated election year, as some Republicans continue to blister Fauci with criticism over his role in the government's response to the pandemic.
The Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has been probing Fauci's handling of the pandemic; the origins of COVID-19, including the theory that COVID leaked from a Chinese lab; and vaccine mandates and programs overseen by government officials during the pandemic.
Sources in the room for the interview with Dr. Fauci revealed a deep political divide over his legacy and work. The meeting was described as cordial, but tensions were evident.
The Fauci Interview
During the two-day interview, both Republican and Democratic staffers and members took turns questioning Fauci about his work during the Trump and Biden administrations' response to COVID-19.
Republicans focused their inquiries on the "lab leak" theory and COVID's origins, as well as social distancing and school closures. Meanwhile, the panel's chairman, Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, described the interview as cordial and professional.
In a public statement, Wenstrup mentioned that Fauci testified that the lab leak hypothesis was not a conspiracy theory and that the social distancing recommendations were not based on scientific data.
On the other hand, Rep. Raul Ruiz of California, the top Democrat on the panel, defended Fauci as a dedicated public servant and criticized House Republicans for what he perceived as a politically motivated probe to vilify him.
According to sources familiar with the interview, a Republican lawmaker raised concerns about the impact of virtual schooling on students' learning during the peak of the pandemic.
Fauci chose not to provide a comment to CBS News regarding the interview. However, his attorney issued a statement refuting the expected criticism of Fauci's responses regarding educational setbacks.
"Dr. Fauci has never denied, and does not deny, that due to numerous obvious reasons, the pandemic has resulted in significant learning loss for children," stated Fauci's attorney.
Subcommittee Republicans also claimed that Fauci "acknowledged that America's vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic could potentially increase vaccine hesitancy in the future."
Republicans stated that Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease in Maryland for 38 years before retiring in 2022, responded with "I don't recall" over 100 times during the two-day interview.
A Democratic aide countered the Republicans' characterization of Fauci's responses, stating that they were unfair. The aide, who was familiar with the interview, mentioned that Republican staff and members asked Fauci highly specific and detailed questions about individual conversations that took place four years ago. "No one would be able to answer some of the Republicans' questions with such specificity," the aide added.
Democrats criticized Republicans on the committee for not immediately making the full transcript of Fauci's interview available to the public. Republicans explained that the transcripts need to be reviewed by committee members, aides, Fauci, and Fauci's representatives to ensure accuracy before they can be released. No timeline has been announced for when the transcript will be published.
Multiple aides familiar with the subcommittee's work informed CBS News that they anticipate the majority will call Fauci to testify at a public hearing within the next four or five months. This hearing could be contentious, as Fauci continues to be a frequent target of Republican presidential candidates who accuse him of mishandling the country's COVID response. GOP Florida Governor Ron DeSantis referred to Fauci as a "tyrant" in a social media post earlier this month.
Republican Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas, who attended the Fauci interview, accused Democrats of asking "soft-ball questions" during the lengthy discussion.
"There will eventually be a public hearing. He will come back at some point. That will be much more theatrical," Jackson stated. He also mentioned that the closed-door interview was "cordial and very professional," with questioning primarily conducted by lawyers and committee staff.
Last week, the subcommittee also interviewed former National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins as part of its investigation. The interview with Collins also covered questions about the origins of COVID, the lab leak theory, and the federal government's 2020 guidance on social distancing.
Breaking News: New Study Reveals Surprising Benefits of Exercise
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Health Sciences has unveiled some unexpected advantages of regular exercise. The study, which involved over 1,000 participants, found that exercise not only improves physical health but also has a positive impact on mental well-being.
Contrary to popular belief, the researchers discovered that exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Participants who engaged in moderate to high-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes per day reported lower levels of stress and improved mood compared to those who did not exercise regularly.
The study also highlighted the long-term benefits of exercise on cognitive function. Regular physical activity was found to enhance memory and cognitive abilities, leading to improved performance in tasks requiring mental focus and concentration.
Furthermore, the researchers found a correlation between exercise and increased creativity. Participants who engaged in physical activity before engaging in creative tasks demonstrated higher levels of originality and innovative thinking compared to those who did not exercise beforehand.
Dr. Emily Johnson, the lead researcher of the study, expressed her excitement about the findings. "We have always known that exercise is good for our physical health, but now we have evidence that it can also have a profound impact on our mental well-being. This study highlights the importance of incorporating regular exercise into our daily routines," she said.
The findings of this study have significant implications for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Exercise can serve as a complementary treatment option, alongside therapy and medication, for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
As the importance of exercise in maintaining overall health becomes increasingly apparent, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to emphasize the benefits of physical activity to their patients. Encouraging individuals to incorporate exercise into their daily lives can lead to improved mental well-being and cognitive function.
