US President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that former top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci should face prosecution, hours after Republican Senator Rand Paul said he would ask the Justice Department to take legal action against Fauci following a congressional hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump's remarks mark the latest escalation in his long-running criticism of the former public health official, who became a central figure in the United States' pandemic response.

Speaking to reporters, Trump was asked whether the Justice Department should prosecute Fauci after the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) declined to answer certain questions during a hearing on the government's handling of the pandemic. Senator Paul said he intended to formally urge the Justice Department to pursue legal action, arguing that Fauci had refused to provide answers on key issues related to COVID-19.

Responding to the question, Trump drew comparisons with the prosecutions of his former advisers Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, both of whom faced legal consequences after defying congressional subpoenas. "They were prosecuted over something that essentially was never prosecuted before, and there are sort of telltale signs of similarity," Trump said. He added that the precedent established in those cases raised questions about whether Fauci should also face legal scrutiny.

Also Read: Trump Signals Optimism Over Imminent End to Iran Conflict Amid Peace Negotiations

"When you see that happen, you sort of say maybe he should (be prosecuted)," Trump said. "What he did is far more serious than a lot of crimes, frankly." However, the president did not specify what criminal offence he believed Fauci had committed or provide evidence supporting the suggestion that the former health official had violated any laws. The Justice Department has not publicly indicated that it is investigating Fauci.

Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for 38 years before retiring in 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became the most recognisable face of the federal government's public health response, regularly briefing the public alongside officials from successive administrations. While many praised his scientific guidance during the health crisis, he also became a frequent target of criticism from conservative lawmakers and commentators who opposed measures such as mask mandates, social distancing recommendations and vaccination campaigns.

The COVID-19 pandemic claimed the lives of more than 1.1 million Americans, making it one of the deadliest public health crises in US history. The government's response has remained a politically divisive issue, with ongoing congressional inquiries examining pandemic-related decisions, the origins of the virus and the effectiveness of public health policies. Fauci has repeatedly defended his actions, maintaining that recommendations issued during the pandemic were based on the best available scientific evidence at the time.

Trump's latest remarks are likely to intensify political debate over the pandemic and the accountability of officials involved in the federal response. While Senator Paul has said he will request Justice Department action, any decision to pursue criminal charges would rest with federal prosecutors, who have not announced any investigation or legal proceedings against Fauci. The comments underscore the continuing political fallout from the pandemic, years after the initial outbreak reshaped public health policy and American society.

Also Read: Trump Dismisses Claims of US Weapons Shortage, Threatens Prison for Information Leaks