During a House hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) launched a scathing attack on Dr. Anthony Fauci, refusing to address him as “doctor” and accusing him of orchestrating the spread of COVID-19.[1][2] Her remarks sparked outrage from Democrats, who defended Fauci’s credentials and condemned Greene’s behavior as a violation of decorum.[1][2]
The chaos unfolded as follows:
- Greene repeatedly referred to Fauci without using the honorific “Dr.” and claimed he was not respected, stating “I’m not addressing him as doctor.”[2]
- Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) challenged Greene, asking if House rules allowed denying someone’s doctoral title simply because they disagreed with that person.[2]
- Other Democrats like Reps. Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) also admonished Greene, with Garcia calling her comments “completely unacceptable” and Mfume lamenting the lack of decorum.[1][2]
- Reps. Mfume and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) attempted to have Greene’s remarks stricken from the record, which would have restricted her speaking further.[2]
- The hearing chair, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), even told Greene she “should recognize the doctor as a doctor.”[2]
- At one point, a spectator was escorted out after Raskin shouted “Take your Starbucks with you!” as she was holding a coffee cup.[2]
The rancorous exchanges highlighted the toxic partisan divisions in the 118th Congress, with one Republican privately telling Axios that such outbursts are indicative of why many lawmakers are retiring.[2]
Citations:
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8AU5NFTDfg
[2] https://www.axios.com/2024/06/03/fauci-marjorie-taylor-greene
[3] https://www.wsbtv.com/unavailable-location/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XyGxYSM0fE
[5] https://ca.yahoo.com/news/mtg-refused-address-anthony-fauci-175014640.html
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