Live updates: Fauci gives spirited defense to GOP claims of COVID cover-up

Anthony Fauci, the face of the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is appearing before a congressional committee Monday for the first time since retiring about 18 months ago.

UPDATE: Fauci denies influencing COVID origins research

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Throughout the hearing, Fauci has offered a spirited defense of the government’s response to the pandemic and denied any efforts to improperly influence the debate over COVID’s origin.

He also became emotional while recalling the threats and harassment that he and his family have experienced as he became a punching bag for critics of the federal COVID response.

In recent months, the House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has made little progress in its mission of discovering the origins of the virus, but has made a series of embarrassing findings about Fauci’s colleagues.

Follow along for live updates.