They’re Still Coming for Dr. Fauci
After a lifetime spent protecting public health, Dr. Fauci is still being punished for telling Americans the truth.
Do you remember Dr. Fauci? The doctor who helped us get through COVID-19 with calm, steady guidance?
I have no idea how the man was able to make it through some of those press conferences with a straight face and without losing his mind. I still remember when Trump suggested that disinfectant might somehow be injected into the body and repeatedly promoted hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment, despite the lack of reliable evidence that it worked against COVID-19.
Dr. Fauci has spent his life working in public health. Once Trump and his allies began publicly attacking and questioning him, his life changed forever. He required federal protection and received repeated death threats. Senator Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist, repeatedly questioned Fauci’s testimony, judgment and medical expertise during contentious congressional hearings.
President Biden issued Fauci a preemptive pardon in January 2025, explaining that public servants were being threatened with politically motivated investigations and prosecutions.
Then, on Wednesday, July 29, Fauci was compelled by subpoena to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, saying the hearing was a political trap that could expose him to prosecution despite Biden’s pardon. Rand Paul attacked him throughout the hearing and had one of Fauci’s lawyers removed from the room after refusing to recognize the attorney’s attempts to speak.
The damage these science deniers have done to the medical profession is something I see on a weekly basis. Medical misinformation and the politicization of public health have contributed to distrust of doctors, vaccines and proven treatments. It cost lives then, and it costs lives now.
Can you imagine trying to save lives while the people in power actively work against you and then try to send you to jail for it?
This administration is exhausting.
This week, it was also publicly confirmed that the administration has been using federal funding decisions to punish states that did not support Trump. In court filings, the administration acknowledged canceling $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants based on the political affiliation of the states receiving them. The affected projects were located in 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024.
ICE has also been ramping up its kidnappings. Immigration arrests reached approximately 1,600 per day in early July, the highest sustained pace in the agency’s history. ICE deported approximately 443,000 people during fiscal year 2025 alone, meaning the total since Trump returned to office has now surpassed half a million.
And yes, immigration enforcement activity continues to affect Carver County. ICE activity did not simply disappear when it stopped receiving as much attention.
But I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Voting for Minnesota’s August 11 primary is already underway. Absentee voting began June 26, and Minnesota’s new in-person early-voting period began July 24. The Minnesota Secretary of State provides information about where and how to vote early.
More and more people appear to be done supporting Trump and his ilk. Many are doing it quietly, but it is happening.
Get your lawn signs. Keep fighting and standing up.
Your actions are changing minds, helping people learn the names of our candidates and encouraging so many others to vote.
I was in Florida a few weeks ago, and I did not see a single Trump sign or flag. When I travel through greater Minnesota, in places where I used to see pro-Trump signs, there are now none.
That is only my own observation, but it gives me hope.
Keep going.
I know that when I see you every week, it restores my faith in humanity.
Judith
Chaska Protests
Every Friday from 3:00–4:00 p.m. at the corner of Chaska Blvd. and Chestnut Street (Highway 41) [Map]
Every Saturday from 1-2 pm at the corner of Hazeltine Boulevard and Highway 41 (Chestnut) [Map]
Chanhassen Protests
Every Saturday from 10-11 am at Kerber & West 78th. [Map] Public parking is available behind City Hall. Sign library is available.
Norwood Young America
Every Sunday, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (Line up at the bike path south of Highway 212 and Faxon.)
Victoria
Every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 pm on the corner of Highway 5 and Victoria Drive/County Rd 11.
Waconia
Every Saturday from 11:30-12:30 pm at Highway 5 and County Road 10 in front of the Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s. [Map]
SW Protectors
Every first and third Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. It’s no cost and come and go as you like.
Please do buy something to eat or drink, though, to support our venue, which is The Bellows restaurant and it’s located at 232 Pioneer Trail in Chaska.