Days before the hearing, Republican Senator Rand Paul released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci’s pandemic-era writings, in which he mused about fame and the origins of Covid. Fauci said Paul’s “obvious obsession” with pushing for his prosecution had led him not to answer questions this time. At Wednesday’s hearing, Fauci’s decision not to testify appeared to enrage Republicans, including Senator Josh Hawley, who accused Fauci of having “contempt for this body” of Congress. Several Democrats, meanwhile, came to Fauci’s defense, including Senator Maggie Hassan, who said the hearing was “designed to entrap” Fauci. Fauci and Trump frequently sparred over the handling of the pandemic, including when Trump suggested unproven treatments.