File photo of Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s top pandemic medical adviser
It’s a classic Washington slip-up: getting caught on a hot mic.
Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s top pandemic medical adviser, is garnering attention for comments captured following a heated exchange Tuesday with Senator Roger Marshall, one of the many Republicans to level personal attacks against him.
Fauci can be heard calling Marshall a "moron” after the Kansas Republican demanded Fauci disclose more information about his finances. Fauci said his financial disclosures are already available to the public and can be accessed through Freedom of Information Act requests.
"What a moron -- Jesus Christ,” Fauci can be heard saying after the exchange, during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the federal response to the omicron Covid-19 variant.
Fauci also clashed with Senator Rand Paul, accusing the Kentucky Republican of distorting his mission and fueling death threats against him and his family.
"It kindles the crazies out there, and I have threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls because people are lying about me,” he said.
Marshall repeatedly demanded that Fauci submit a financial disclosure form to Congress, citing a Forbes story he said put Fauci’s salary at $434,000.
"I don’t understand why you’re asking me that question,” Fauci responded. "My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so.”
"All you have to do it ask for it -- you’re so misinformed it’s extraordinary,” he added.
