Republican lawmakers have intensified their campaign against Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, by voting to hold him in contempt of Congress. The Senate committee led by Senator Rand Paul referred the case to the Justice Department for potential prosecution after Fauci declined to answer questions during a hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Partisan vote targets Fauci amid pandemic origin disputes
The Senate committee, led by Senator Rand Paul, approved the contempt measure along party lines. The decision bypassed standard procedures, which usually require full Senate approval before such referrals. Officials stated it reflected a broader pattern of sidelining established protocols.
At 85, Fauci has faced persistent attacks from Republicans over his pandemic response role. The Department of Health and Human Services spent months reconstructing his personal diary from government servers and provided it to Paul’s committee. Within days, Paul released selected excerpts, focusing on entries about the Wuhan wet market to support claims that Fauci misled the public about COVID-19’s origins.
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HHS also shared material from Fauci’s work phone with Senator Ron Johnson, another vocal critic. The actions have drawn comparisons to historical tactics, with lawmakers accused of using congressional power to target scientists for political reasons.
Scientists rally in defense as attacks escalate
Before Fauci’s Senate appearance, 155 scientists, physicians, and public health advocates signed an open letter condemning the harassment of researchers. The letter accused the former administration and its allies of waging a campaign against individual scientists, citing public harassment, arrests, and threats of prosecution.
“We urge elected representatives in Congress to stop these investigations and support sound public health practices,” the letter stated. Signatories warned that the attacks could weaken America’s leadership in scientific innovation.
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The backlash against Fauci occurs as the scientific community remains divided over the pandemic’s origins. A 2025 World Health Organization report concluded zoonotic spillover was the most likely explanation but did not rule out other theories. The uncertainty has fueled conspiracy theories, with some figures falsely linking diseases like Lyme and respiratory syncytial virus to laboratory research.
Foodborne illness outbreaks strain U.S. safety systems
The U.S. is battling three major foodborne illness outbreaks, revealing weaknesses in the nation’s food safety infrastructure. As of early August, a cyclospora outbreak has infected 22,000 people across most states, with severe cases linked to contaminated lettuce in fast-food chains. Investigators suspect multiple sources, including frozen blueberries, powdered infant formula, eggs, and soft ricotta cheese.
A salmonella outbreak tied to Texas-produced eggs has sickened 98 people in 17 states, leading to the recall of nearly 1.6 million egg cartons. Another salmonella outbreak, traced to jalapeno peppers from Mexico, has caused 345 illnesses and 36 hospitalizations across 27 states.
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The FDA currently lists 11 active foodborne illness investigations. A 2011 law intended to shift the agency’s focus from reacting to outbreaks to preventing them, but a January report found the FDA has not fully implemented the law’s requirements. Notably, the agency has yet to update guidance for farmers on reducing contamination risks.
The former administration’s budget cuts have further weakened food safety efforts. In 2025, the USDA eliminated its National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods and cut 913 positions from its Food Safety Inspection Service. The agency’s head defended the cuts, insisting the U.S. food supply remains the safest in the world.
Climate change is increasing the risks of foodborne diseases globally, while postal workers in France are on the climate frontlines, checking in on older people during heatwaves, offering advice, addressing loneliness, and making sure they are eating well and staying hydrated. Globally, foodborne diseases cause 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, according to a Lancet Global Health study. Children under five bear a disproportionate burden, accounting for nearly a third of cases. The study’s authors warned that climate change and antimicrobial resistance are increasing contamination risks.