WATCH: Rand Paul says Fauci ‘weaponized the government’ in lab leak cover-up

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) slammed Dr. Anthony Fauci, saying the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases used his position to weaponize the government in a cover-up regarding the origin of the coronavirus.

“This guy weaponized the NIAD. He weaponized it to get his supporters,” Paul explained to Jesse Watters Primetime. “At first, they said, ‘My goodness. It came from a lab.’ And then, all of a sudden, they changed their mind. They got more money. They got more grants.”

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“He used that grant-making authority — who gets it — and he weaponized government to get what he wanted,” Paul added. “And that was the cover-up.”

On Wednesday, Paul questioned Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel as he appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Bancel defended Moderna’s plans to raise the price of its COVID-19 vaccine fivefold once it shifts to the private market. The pharmaceutical CEO also denied increased risks of myocarditis for young men between the ages of 16 and 24.

Paul disputed Bancel’s stance and entered six peer-reviewed studies into the committee’s record as evidence.

“I didn’t find him to be forthcoming or honest, particularly about the myocarditis risk,” Paul told Watters. “The thing is they are not being honest because obviously, they are self-interested, and they love the mandates.”

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Paul further blasted Fauci for benefiting from the policies he made as the former chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden.

In September, watchdog group OpenTheBooks issued a report noting Fauci’s net worth just about doubled during the pandemic.