Rand Paul's calls for Fauci to to face imprisonment continue after contentious hearing

Sen.Rand Paul, R-Ky., has frequently suggested that Dr.

Anthony Fauci should face prison time, and he was still open to the idea Tuesday when pressed about his past calls on that front.Paul spoke on MS NOW about his response to the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate hearing chaired by Paul last week.The Republican senator admitted that he didn't know what to expect from Fauci's testimony, arguing that Fauci likely could have escaped legal culpability under former President Joe Biden's pardon.Geist remarked that Fauci, under the guidance of his lawyers, likely wanted to avoid speaking to Paul, who has advocated for him to be jailed.

He followed up by asking if he still believes in that.CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAYSen.Rand Paul reiterated on "Morning Joe" that Anthony Fauci should face consequences for his role in gain-of-function research.

(AP Photo/J.Scott Applewhite)"That's a good question," Paul said.

"Did he lie to Congress? I think he did lie to Congress.And I think, to be fair, that people who lie to Congress should be charged with a felony and, if convicted, go to jail.

That’s also a felony crime.So I think both destroying records and lying to Congress are serious crimes."Paul explained that it was more important to him to learn the truth about the gain-of-function research allegedly connected to Fauci prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.Geist then asked if anyone else should face a criminal investigation.

Paul stopped short of suggesting legal ramifications but added that they "should all apologize" and were culpable in other ways.Turning back to Fauci, Geist asked Paul if he believed the doctor had some "nefarious" purpose behind his actions.WATCH: RAND PAUL SAYS THERE'S ONE THING AMERICANS HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM FAUCIRand Paul has repeatedly suggested Dr.Anthony Fauci committ...