Moreno unloads on Fauci after Senate hearing, calls him Democrats' 'hero' over pandemic policies

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, doubled down Thursday on his criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci after the former top health official declined to answer questions during a Senate hearing, calling him Democrats' "hero."

Appearing on "Hannity" Thursday evening, Moreno argued Fauci's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was driven by a desire for power rather than public health.

"This is about controlling American people," Moreno said. "He treated us like lab rats."

Moreno said Fauci's approach to the pandemic reflected what he believes Democrats ultimately want from government.

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"You want to give power to Democrats, socialists and communists in this country? They will take away your freedoms, they will take away your liberties, they'll control you, they'll replace you," he said. "They want to systematically destroy this country, and that's why Fauci is their hero. He got to do what they only fantasize about, which is total and complete control of the American people."

Moreno and Fauci clashed during Wednesday's Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing after Fauci, on the advice of counsel, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions from committee members.

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A frustrated Moreno told Fauci that the former White House chief medical advisor had inspired him to run for the Senate because of his influence over COVID-19 policies.

"Here I am sitting in front of you six years later saying, 'Who the f--- do you think you were for doing that? It is a total disgrace what you did to this country,'" Moreno said.

Asked Thursday whether he stood by those remarks, Moreno argued Fauci's influence set back children's health for decades and devastated small businesses.

"The reality is this guy damaged a lot of things in this country," he said.

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Moreno also pointed to more than 1,000 pages of internal notes released by committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., ahead of the hearing. According to Paul, the notes suggest Fauci privately expressed views about COVID-19 that differed from some of his public statements.

"This is one of the most depraved bureaucrats," Moreno said, adding that Fauci should face prosecution over his handling of the pandemic.

Although Fauci received a pardon from former President Joe Biden, Moreno noted that state investigations remain possible. On Thursday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced his office would open an investigation after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right during Wednesday's hearing.

"We know what he was actually thinking," Moreno said. "We know he lied to the American people. State attorneys general, like the one in Florida—I hope the one in Ohio does the same thing. We got to pursue this guy."

Moreno said the moment that bothered him most during the hearing came when he asked Fauci to apologize to audience members who said they were harmed by or disagreed with pandemic policies.

"He wouldn't even look at them," Moreno said. "That's how despicable this guy is."

Fox News Digital's Alex Miller, Adam Pack and Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Fauci's attorney for comment.