The GOP Doctors Caucus sent a letter to Dr. Fauci demanding he apologize for calling Sen. Roger Marshall a “moron.”
Caucus vice chair Rep. Greg Murphy, who led the letter, blasted Fauci’s lack of professionalism.
“Dr. Fauci has forfeited his credibility as a public health expert by placing political science ahead of medical science,” Murphy said in a statement to Fox News. “Physicians have an obligation to put forward clear, consistent, and well-educated messaging to inform patients and the public. Instead of fulfilling this responsibility, Dr. Fauci has administered confusing and conflicting information in an air of arrogance that has resulted in a marked decrease in the public’s trust.”
"Dr. Fauci’s recent denigrating antics in undermining our highly respected colleague, Dr. Marshall, is just the latest example of his tragic failure to lead," he continued. "We ask that Dr. Fauci make a public statement immediately withdrawing his derogatory comments, and reflect on the fact that medical opinions are best achieved through consensus and humility, not arrogant monolithic statements. Dr. Fauci should take stock of how his divisive actions have done our nation more harm than good."
“We have seen unfortunate deprecation by some physicians to other physicians over disagreements in issues dealing with masks, therapeutics as well as vaccines,” the letter reads.
"People expect physicians to be tolerant and always respect diversity," the lawmakers continue. "A physician, especially in a national leadership position, who doesn’t respect diversity – which includes diversity of opinion – reflects poorly on our entire profession."
They said that Marshall "is a highly qualified physician and highly respected" and that physician "colleagues, even when they do not agree, should not stoop to calling another colleague a juvenile name."
"The medical profession is one that is normally held in high esteem. This type of behavior undermines the trust that Americans have in physicians," the lawmakers continued, calling on Fauci to publicly apologize to Marshall for his "unprofessional comment."
13 GOP physician lawmakers joined Murphy on the letter, including Reps. Brad Wenstrup, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Brian Babin.
