Virus expert muted

White House blocks top scientist from testifying at hearing

A SPOKESMAN for a key House panel said the White House has stopped Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying this week at a hearing on the coronavirus outbreak.

House Appropriations Committee spokesman Evan Hollander said the panel sought Dr Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as a witness for a subcommittee hearing on the government’s response to the pandemic, but was denied.

Mr Hollander said the panel was informed by an administration official that Dr Fauci’s testimony was blocked by the White House.

The White House said Dr Fauci is busy dealing with the pandemic and will appear before Congress later.

In fact, Dr Fauci is set to appear next week at a Senate hearing, a spokesman for the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee said.

The Senate is held by President Donald Trump’s Republican allies while the House is controlled by Democrats.

“While the Trump Administration continues its wholeof-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings,” said White House spokesman Judd Deere.

“We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time.”

Dr Fauci is the top scientist on Mr Trump’s coronavirus task force and is no stranger to testifying before Congress.

He has sometimes contradicted Mr Trump’s optimistic misstatements about the virus.

Dr Fauci has warned against relaxing social distancing rules that have helped slow the spread of the virus but hurt the economy.

That has earned him criticism from some of Mr Trump’s most ardent supporters.