Fauci says its 'irrelevant' to him that people demonize him, claims he has nothing to fear from testifying before Congress

Dr. Anthony Fauci said that it was irrelevant to him whether people demonized him or idolized him, and he said he had nothing to fear from testifying before Congress.

Fauci made the comments during an interview on "Your World" with Neil Cavuto on Friday.

Cavuto asked Fauci if he was ready to face congressional hearings if the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives as most believe they will in the midterm elections.

"I have absolutely nothing to hide or nothing to be concerned about, of anything that I've done. So I never have been – and not now and will never be – afraid of hearings done in good faith in oversight. I mean, obviously, if you looked at some of the hearings, they've started off out of nowhere to be ad hominem attacks without even asking a reasonable question. And you know that, you've seen that, the clips of that, Neil."

He went on to say that he has not changed his conduct at all because of accusations made by his political critics. He also said he had no intention of avoiding congressional oversight by Republicans.

He also addressed the polarized reaction from the public to his suggestions.

"I'm a physician, I'm a scientist. I direct a very important institute, one that has been responsible for the most part, for the development of vaccines that have saved millions of lives already. I don't think about it in terms of being a cult person and everybody idolizing me and being a controversial, polarizing figure where other people, you know, do these kinds of things that we've been talking about, about attacking me. Either end of that spectrum to me is irrelevant, Neil.

My job is what's important... So the idea when you're idolized, or you're demonized, I mean that's just a reflection of what's going on in society and really has very little to do with what I am and who I am and what I do. So you may not believe it or appreciate it, but all of that other stuff is irrelevant. It's my job and what I do, that's important."

Fauci also opined that the newest variant of the coronavirus didn't appear to be any more dangerous, even though BA.2 seems to be more transmissible. He has said previously that he didn't believe another surge in COVID-19 was likely in the U.S.

Here's the video of the interview: