Aaron Rodgers BLASTS Fauci during ESPN interview: 'Absolute criminal'

Aaron Rodgers slammed former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN on Monday, accusing the former government health official of sidestepping accountability after repeatedly pleading the Fifth Amendment, a total of 111 times during a congressional hearing.

While discussing Rodgers’ upcoming NFL season and his upcoming season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, McAfee asked the future Hall of Fame quarterback about his mindset heading into what Rodgers has described as his likely “last rodeo.” Rodgers responded by brining up Fauci’s recent testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment while answering questions from lawmakers. “I’m gonna plead the fifth,” Rodgers joked. “Like that absolute coward.”

McAfee responded by pointing out that Fauci had pleaded the Fifth during the hearing, saying, “Yeah, you got a pardon and you’re in front of you pleaded over a hundred times,” Rodgers said. “What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science.”

Rodgers questioned the amount of media attention given to his own past comments on COVID-19 and his vaccination status compared with coverage of Fauci’s congressional testimony.

“How much time did the network spend on my responses every week on my vaccination status, on Taylor and Travis’ wedding?” Rodgers asked. “Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci?” Rodgers slammed the lack of scrutiny toward Fauci, saying, “They can’t answer a question. What are we doing? Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal,” Rodgers said. “I’m on good terms with my family. What are you gonna say now?”

The comments came after Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last week and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights 111 times while being questioned by lawmakers.

Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said following the hearing that the committee would vote on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress. Paul argued that Fauci’s previous legal protections meant he should not have needed to invoke the Fifth Amendment and said the committee would consider further action. When asked by reporters if Fauci would be held in contempt, Paul said the committee's vote would take place the following week and that the issue would then be referred for consideration of possible prosecution.

During the hearing, Fauci said in his opening statement that, “Although it pains me to do so, because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress, under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions.”

Fauci declined to all questions during the hearing, including questions about basic details surrounding his testimony. Fauci would even decline to answer what day of the week it is, and what color the tie he's wearing was.