Politics

Aug 6, 2026 Ian Buruma

MAGA Republicans’ decision to drag Anthony Fauci before a Senate hearing was less about their hatred of science and more about their disdain for the scientists who guide lawmakers in their decision-making. They couldn’t wait to pillory him, and by association any public-facing expert, in front of the cameras.

NEW YORK—Anthony Fauci has had a long and distinguished career as an immunologist. But you wouldn’t know that from his recent hearing before the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Republican senators hurled gratuitous attacks on the former director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (1984–2022) and chief medical adviser to the President (2021–22), who was instrumental in the development of HIV/AIDS treatments and led America’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.