Birx Says Blue States ‘Overclosed’ After Fauci Pleads the Fifth 111 Times
Former White House COVID Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx criticized pandemic-era restrictions after Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly declined to answer questions at a Senate hearing.
Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, appeared under subpoena before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last Wednesday. According to the source account, he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times while responding to questions about his role in the federal COVID-19 response.
Fauci became one of the most recognizable public officials during the pandemic. He appeared regularly on television and helped shape the public messaging surrounding masks, vaccines, closures, and other restrictions. His refusal to answer questions at the hearing drew renewed criticism from opponents of those policies.
Birx, who worked alongside Fauci on the White House task force, addressed the hearing during an appearance on Newsmax. She argued that politics played a major role in how some states responded to the pandemic.
“There were solutions, but it became very political, and we all have to be aware, because it was a presidential election year,” Birx said.
She continued, “It was really important for blue states to show that they were taking this very seriously, and they overclosed. And we just have to be honest that that happened!”
Birx’s comments drew attention because she was also a prominent advocate for strict precautions during the pandemic. Critics have pointed to her support for measures such as goggles and multiple masks. She also faced backlash after traveling to visit family during Thanksgiving while encouraging Americans to avoid visiting their own relatives.
The source account further references referral letters reportedly submitted by seven states last year. Those letters named Fauci, Birx, former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, former NIH Director Francis Collins, former FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, former CDC Director Robert Redfield, and several other medical officials and researchers.
The allegations described in the letters include murder, negligent homicide, involuntary manslaughter, medical coercion, abuse, kidnapping, forced labor, racketeering, operating a corrupt organization, and terrorism. The list also includes NIAID official Cliff Lane, former FDA official Janet Woodcock, vaccine researcher Peter Hotez, EcoHealth Alliance president Peter Daszak, virologist Ralph Baric, and former BARDA Director Rick Bright.
Those accusations remain allegations presented in referral documents, not findings established by a court. The dispute now highlights the continuing divide over who was responsible for the most controversial COVID-era decisions—and why key officials are still declining to discuss them publicly.