GOP demands Fauci apologize for calling senator a 'moron'

Following last week's heated exchange during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing, members of the GOP Doctors Caucus are calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci to apologize to Senator Roger Marshall after a hot mic caught the NIAID director calling the Republican senator a "moron."

On Tuesday, a letter was sent to Fauci, signed by Reps. Greg Murphy, Andy Harris, Brad Wenstrup, Michael Burgess, Larry Bucshon, John Joyce, Brian Babin, Earl L. "Buddy" Carter, Scott DesJarlais, Neal Dunn, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Diana Harshbarger, and Mark Green.

"As health care providers we understand that this pandemic has put a strain on everyone, especially medical personnel. This novel virus from China has eluded a silver bullet for more than two years and most likely will challenge this nation and world for years to come," the letter began.

The letter continues on to state that while many medical diseases can obtain a consensus on treatment and other topics surrounding it, "we have seen anything but that during this pandemic."

"We have seen unfortunate depreciation by some physicians to other physicians over disagreements in issues dealing with masks, therapeutics as well as vaccines," the letter states.

"People expect physicians to be tolerant and always respect diversity. A physical, especially in a national leadership position, who doesn't respect diversity — which includes diversity of opinion — reflects poorly on our entire profession," the letter continues. "We all understand that congressional hearings can sometimes be challenging; however, your behavior in calling Senator, and fellow physician, Roger Marshall a 'Moron' was extremely unprofessional and uncalled for."

The letter stated that with Fauci being the highest paid employee in the federal government, and Marshall being a member of the committee directly responsible for the oversight of NIAID, Marshall's line of questioning regarding his financial disclosures was "completely appropriate."

"Dr. Marshall is a highly qualified physician and highly respected. Physician colleagues, even when they do not agree, should not stoop to calling another colleague a juvenile name. The medical profession is one that is normally held in a high esteem. This type of behavior undermines the trust that Americans have in physicians," the letter reads.

"We, as members of the GOP Doctors Caucus, are calling for you to make a public apology to Dr. Marshall for your unprofessional comments. The divisiveness that has occurred during this pandemic should not come from an individual who was selected to lead this nation's pandemic efforts," it concluded.

The exchange in question came during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing last week, in which Marshall pressed Fauci about financial disclosure documents.

"So, Dr. Fauci, according to Forbes, you have an annual salary in 2020 was $434,000. You oversee over $5 billion in federal research grants. As the highest paid employee in the entire federal government, yes or no, would you be willing to submit to Congress and the public, a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments?" Marshall asked.

"After all, your colleague, Dr. Walensky and every member of Congress submits a financial disclosure that includes their investments," he continued.

"I don't understand why you're asking me that question. My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so," responded Fauci.

The two continued back and forth regarding the location and ease of access of these documents, with the argument being cut short by Sen. Patty Murray, the chair of the committee, telling Marshall that Fauci had answered his questions.

In the silence between speakers following the argument, Fauci was heard saying "what a moron" and "Jesus Christ" on hot mic, referring to Marshall.