“In olden times—that is, before two years ago—I think one in Dr. Fauci’s position could have confidently relied on the Justice Department not to take a referral from an obviously vindictive senator and try to prosecute him,”

Frank Bowman · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-07

Bowman contrasted the current Justice Department's conduct with past norms, arguing Fauci could no longer rely on DOJ independence from vindictive political referrals.