Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene refused on Monday to address physician Anthony Fauci as a doctor, during a tense House hearing on the former Chief Medical Advisor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Mr. Fauci, because you're not doctor, you're Mr. Fauci in my few minutes," the Georgia Republican told the infectious disease expert, who holds a medical degree from Cornell, during his testimony before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The congresswoman has a history of spreading factually incorrect information about COVID-19 and healthcare, in general. In 2021, she was widely condemned for comparing mask mandates on the House floor to the yellow stars that Jewish people were forced to wear in Nazi Germany.
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin cut off Greene's questioning to question whether she violated the House's standards of conduct by not acknowledging Fauci's medical credentials.
"Mr. Chairman, in terms of the rules of decorum, are we allowed to deny that a doctor is a doctor because we don't want him to be a doctor?" Raskin asked.
Greene shot back at Raskin, arguing "Yes, because in my time that man does not deserve to have a license. As a matter of fact, it should be revoked, and he belongs in prison." She also argued that Fauci should be tried for "crimes against humanity."
Committee Chair and fellow Republican, Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, reprimanded Greene, at the behest of Raskin, reminding her that she should "recognize the doctor as a doctor."
Following Greene's line of questioning, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia of California apologized to Fauci, for the congresswoman's behavior.
"Quite frankly - this might be the most insane hearing I've ever attended, and I've only been in Congress for a year and a half," Garcia told Fauci. "I'm so sorry that you are subjected to those levels of attacks."
