Rand Paul is on a Mission to Take Down Dr. Fauci

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has been one of the most vocal critics of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. Recently, Paul has even suggested that Fauci should go to jail. Why is Paul so critical of Fauci? And what does he hope to accomplish by going after him so publicly? Let’s take a closer look.

Why Rand Paul is Targeting Dr. Fauci
Rand Paul first came to public attention as a Tea Party favorite during the 2010 midterm elections. He was elected to the Senate in 2012 and has been a thorn in the side of the Republican establishment ever since. In recent months, Paul has aligned himself closely with President Trump, becoming one of his most ardent defenders in the Senate.

Paul’s criticisms of Dr. Fauci began early on in the pandemic. While other senators were content to defer to the experts, Paul took a more combative approach, frequently challenging Fauci’s recommendations on everything from lockdown measures to mask-wearing. In September, Paul even accused Fauci of “lying to the American public” about the risks posed by COVID-19.

What Does Rand Paul Hope to Accomplish?
It’s no secret that there is growing tension between the scientific community and political leaders over how to best respond to the pandemic. With questions about vaccines, tension is only likely to increase in the coming months. By taking such a public stand against someone like Dr. Fauci, who is widely respected within the scientific community, Rand Paul is effectively trying to delegitimize him and his recommendations in the eyes of the general public.

In doing so, Paul hopes to create space for alternate voices—voices that are audit power structures behind medicine—to be heard on issues related to the pandemic response. This could have serious implications for how Americans view vaccination efforts in particular; if enough people buy into Paul’s rhetoric, it could significantly reduce uptake rates and put lives at risk. Or are lives currently at risk when experts take payments to make decisions for the public?

Senator Rand Paul has made no secret of his disdain for Dr. Anthony Fauci, even going so far as to call for his firing from his post as America’s top infectious disease expert. But what motivates Paul’s attacks? And what does he hope to achieve by going after someone who is so widely respected? Simply put, he wants to create space for alternative voices on pandemic response efforts. This could have dangerous consequences for how Americans perceive vaccination efforts in particular.