Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and one of the most recognizable public health figures during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now reportedly scheduled to testify before a Senate committee next week as Republican lawmakers continue to examine his role during the public health crisis.
Fauci, 85, is expected to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, July 29.
The hearing comes after years of efforts by Republican lawmakers to question Fauci about his leadership during the pandemic. Fauci stepped down as then-President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser in December 2022 after decades of government service.
His upcoming testimony follows renewed criticism from members of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Last month, Peter Navarro, a senior adviser to Trump, sharply criticized Fauci during an interview on Fox Business with host Maria Bartiromo, accusing the longtime health official of mishandling issues related to the pandemic.
“He basically gave money to the Wuhan lab for the express purpose of using gain-of-function research to create a deadly virus for the purpose of then creating vaccines to kill the virus,” Navarro claimed during the interview.
Navarro also questioned the outcome of those actions, saying, “How did that go, Anthony?”
He went on to point to the human toll of the pandemic while arguing Fauci should face greater scrutiny.
“One million Americans died, millions worldwide! He needs to be held accountable,” Navarro said.
The Senate hearing is expected to provide lawmakers with an opportunity to question Fauci directly as congressional interest in the government’s pandemic response continues.
Fauci served as one of the federal government’s leading public health officials for decades and became a central figure during the COVID-19 pandemic through his role advising multiple administrations on public health matters.
His public profile grew significantly during the pandemic, making him both a prominent voice on health policy and a frequent target of criticism from Republicans.
Before leaving government service, Fauci served as President Biden’s chief medical adviser, a position he held until his retirement in December 2022.
In January 2025, during the closing days of Biden’s presidency, Fauci received a presidential pardon.
At the time, Biden praised Fauci’s lengthy career in public service and highlighted his work responding to several major public health emergencies.
“For more than half a century, Dr. Fauci served our country,” Biden said in a statement announcing the pardon.
“He saved countless lives by managing the government’s response to pressing health crises, including HIV/AIDS, as well as the Ebola and Zika viruses,” Biden continued.
The former president also credited Fauci for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as chief medical adviser.
“During his tenure as my Chief Medical Advisor, he helped the country tackle a once-in-a-century pandemic,” Biden said. “The United States is safer and healthier because of him.”
Fauci’s appearance before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee next Wednesday is expected to place him back in the spotlight as lawmakers continue reviewing decisions made during the pandemic and revisit questions that have remained a point of debate since the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
