The first in-person confrontation between Sen. Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci since the NIH admitted to funding gain-of-function research in China occurred today. During a Senate hearing, Paul took a blowtorch to Fauci’s lies and excuses. There were also some moments so absurd that you can only laugh at this point.

For background, Fauci has previously denied with incredible vigor, including calling Paul a liar, that NIAID ever funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institution of Virology via EcoHealth Alliance. We now know that the good doctor was being far less than truthful. That per RedState’s Scott Hounsell.

In a letter sent today, October 20, Representative James Comer (R- KY), The National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirmed that Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergens and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), lied to Senator Rand Paul during a hearing on May 11th, 2021.

During that hearing Fauci stated in no uncertain terms, that the NIH nor the NIAID ever funded gain of function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.  Fauci has stuck to that story even as mounting evidence convincingly contradicted those statements.  Here at RedState, we have led the story regarding gain-of-function research and were among the first media outlets to accurately report that Fauci lied during that interaction.  The NIH letter specifically discusses genomic studies of bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Today, Fauci was put on the spot by Paul multiple times. At one point, the former tried to claim that gain-of-function didn’t happen because the experiments would not meet the current definition published on the NIH website. Of course, that definition was changed after it became apparent that Fauci had and his agency had lied. The lack of shame is truly something to behold.

You can see the full exchange here. Paul is having none of it, pushing back hard every step of the way.

.@RandPaul vs Dr. Fauci, Round 7: NIH "changed the definition [of "gain of function"] on the website to try to cover your ass, basically. That’s what you’ve done, you’ve changed the website to change the definition that doesn’t include the risky research that’s going on." pic.twitter.com/g70anl1tMP

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) November 4, 2021

Fauci attempted to misdirect again by assuring everyone that the viruses in question could not have become COVID-19, but as Paul notes, that’s irrelevant and not the allegation that is being made. Still, why should anyone believe the NIH’s denials now about the origins of the coronavirus when they were caught red-handed lying about gain-of-function research? At some point, they have no credibility to be taken at their word.

Perhaps even more unbelievably, though, Fauci makes the claim that gain-of-function is an imprecise term and that the newly changed definition on the NIH’s website should now be taken as the standard, a standard that just so happens to exonerate Fauci. Talk about rigging the game, right?

Eventually, Paul pressed Fauci again, accusing him of changing the definition to provide cover. While the doctor proclaimed that the definitional change came from outside bodies (who almost certainly rely on the NIH for grant funding), the Senator hit back, noting the persistent dishonesty in refusing to take any responsibility for what occurred. Towards the end of his time, Paul then called for Fauci to resign.

Rand Paul grilling Dr Fauci: "Until you accept responsibility, we're not going to get anywhere close to trying to prevent another lab leak of this dangerous sort of experiment. You won't admit that it's dangerous, and for that lack of judgment, I think it's time that you resign." pic.twitter.com/L1GNw9Nu9S

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 4, 2021

Lastly, Fauci got caught in one final lie about continued US funding at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Paul noted that funding had been approved in April of 2020 and that as recently as last month, the Chinese had confirmed that. Fauci, coy as ever, noted that’s “no longer the case,” no doubt another last-minute move like the website change.

In the end, we are no closer to any real justice as Fauci remains the highest-paid member of the US government. Yet, Paul has done a magnificent job of exposing the doctor for exactly who he is. Hopefully, one day that’ll lead to something more than viral video clips.