Texas GOP lawmakers jab Democrat over old Fauci action-figure post as Fauci invokes Fifth

Republican Representative Brandon Gill drew attention to a December 2021 social-media post by Democratic Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico that showcased a Dr. Anthony Fauci action figure and encouraged vaccination. Gill mocked the former legislator, asking if he still “plays with” the toy, and Sen. Ted Cruz amplified the criticism by noting Fauci’s recent invocation of the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times before a Senate committee.

The hearing, held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, featured Fauci’s refusal to answer questions on the advice of his attorneys, prompting discussions of a contempt referral. Rand Paul, the committee chair, is set to vote on the contempt measure next week. Talarico, a former middle-school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, is also under scrutiny for a video describing gender-affirming care restrictions as stemming from a “Christofascism movement.” He is challenging Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the upcoming race.