DeSantis Hints At Legal Action Against Fauci
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently commented on former President Joe Biden’s decision to issue preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggesting that this action could have unintended consequences for the former COVID-19 advisor.
During a press conference, DeSantis addressed the matter after a reporter noted that while Fauci is protected from federal prosecution, there remains the possibility of legal action at the state level.
DeSantis acknowledged the “good” question and then referenced recent findings, including details from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
“I don’t know if you saw this Elon Musk stuff,” DeSantis remarked. “They identified 180,000 for a commemoration of Fauci at NIH headquarters. What the hell are they commemorating about Fauci? I mean, at best, you can say, you know, you have the Super Bowl of public health, a pandemic, and he totally botched it. That’s the best you can say, without even getting involved in gain of function, research and all the things that went into that treachery, how you can venerate him.”
“At best, you have to admit he got it wrong when this country was looking for leadership. He was on TV … I’ve never seen anyone do more TV interviews,” he continued. The governor then jokingly added: “I was like, why isn’t he looking at the data? And I was like, because he’s always giving interviews. That’s why he’s not looking at the data.”
Addressing Biden’s pardon, DeSantis suggested it may have actually intensified scrutiny on Fauci. “But the issue — so Biden did a preemptive pardon of him, which is odd, because, you know, if he didn’t do anything wrong. So the question is, what about a state action? And I think the pardon made it more likely that states are going to look into it,” he explained.
He further argued that if Biden had not pardoned Fauci, state attorneys general might not have considered pursuing investigations against him.
“I do think had Biden not pardoned him, I don’t think you would have seen the states really do this,” DeSantis stated.
“I think they would have deferred to the Trump administration,” he added. “The reason why this could backfire on Fauci is because even if the, say, Biden didn’t pardon him, if the Trump administration had pursued charges against Fauci in say, DC, you’re not going to prosecute someone from the swamp. If the jury is comprised of the swamp, they will acquit. They protect the swamp.”
DeSantis concluded by noting, “If you start looking at some of these other states, those jury pools gonna be a lot different potentially. So I don’t think we’ve seen the end of it. I do think that it’s very possible that the new AG in Florida looks and pursues this type of investigation, but I would also anticipate some other states would also do it, so it may end up boomeranging against Fauci. Biden intended to shield him from accountability, that it may have actually sparked state-based efforts to ensure his accountability.”
WATCH:
Journalist Matt Taibbi recently spoke with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson about Biden’s preemptive pardons for Fauci, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), and others, suggesting that the move could have unintended repercussions under certain circumstances.
“The thing is, about these pardons, they’re a mistake. If you want to know what’s happening, they just made it a lot easier for us to find out,” Taibbi said, hinting at suspicions that Biden’s preemptive pardons might be connected to potential criminal activity.
When Carlson asked for further explanation, Taibbi cited legal experts who pointed out that these pardons could prevent the recipients from pleading the Fifth Amendment when testifying before Congress.
“Now, once the pardon’s delivered, the person can’t plead the Fifth. If they are brought before a grand jury, they can’t take the Fifth anymore, or if they’re brought before a congressional committee, they can’t evoke their right against self-incrimination, so they have to say something,” the journalist explained.