Fauci and the art of turning accountability into the villain

After Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment before the Senate Homeland Security Committee last week, Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) warned that the hearing could have a “chilling effect” on scientists considering public service. Young researchers, he argued, would think twice before following in Fauci’s footsteps after watching one of the country’s best-known public health officials endure years of investigations and public attacks.

Almost immediately, the conversation shifted away from Fauci’s decisions and toward the danger of questioning them. Accountability became the alleged threat.