Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) ordered the removal of David Schertler, the defense lawyer for Dr. Anthony Fauci, from a Senate hearing on Wednesday [1, 2].
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between congressional investigators and the legal representatives of former health officials regarding the origins and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schertler was attending a hearing held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the U.S. Capitol [1]. The confrontation began when Schertler attempted to speak during the proceedings without first being recognized by the chair [1, 2].
Paul said to the attorney, "Sir, you are not recognized. You are not recognized" [2]. Following the exchange, Paul ordered Schertler to be escorted out of the hearing room [1, 2].
The removal occurred during a session focused on COVID-19, where the committee is examining government responses and pandemic-related data [1]. The lawyer's attempt to intervene in the hearing disrupted the established protocol for witness and counsel participation in Senate committee rooms.
Schertler serves as the legal representative for Dr. Fauci, who has been a central figure in multiple congressional inquiries into the public health response to the virus [1, 2].
“"Sir, you are not recognized. You are not recognized,"”
This confrontation underscores the friction between the legislative branch's oversight powers and the legal protections afforded to witnesses. By removing the attorney for a procedural breach, the committee chair asserts strict control over the narrative and flow of the hearing, potentially limiting the immediate ability of defense counsel to intervene in real-time questioning.
