Sen. Rand Paulsays his push to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt isn't about finding a fall guy for the COVID-19 pandemic ... he says Americans who lost loved ones deserve answers ... and we suggested one way to get them.
Jacob caught up with the Senate Homeland Security Committee chairman after Thursday's contempt vote and asked what he says to critics who think he's simply trying to pin the pandemic on Fauci.
Paul didn't mince words ... pointing to the more than 1 million Americans who died and saying many died alone ... before blaming Fauci for virtually all of the pandemic policies.
For Paul, it comes down to the families ... he says those who lost loved ones deserve answers ... and Jacob asked why not give Fauci immunity so he can provide those answers?!?
Dr. Anthony Fauci's Capitol Hill headaches are piling up ... the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted Thursday to hold him in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions last week -- pleading the Fifth 111 times.
The 8-5 party-line vote tees up a potential criminal referral to the DOJ for allegedly blowing off a congressional subpoena ... but it would need 60 votes in the full Senate, making that a long shot.
Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul -- who's been leading the charge against Fauci -- said Thursday the contempt vote isn't about Fauci's pandemic policies or opinions ... it's about his refusal to answer questions after Paul ordered him to do so.
Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski appear a lot closer than they might want people to believe ... because the two were seen spending some quality time together in Minnesota.
In new footage -- obtained by TMZ -- the duo is seen biking along the shores of Lake Minnetonka Tuesday afternoon before settling in at an outdoor table at The Grocer's Table, a cozy market and café in Wayzata.
Corey's keeping it casual in a tight T-shirt and a fresh pair of shades, while Kristi tried to keep a low profile in a flannel shirt and floppy hat.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is still shooting his shot at 84 ... showing off his jumper in the halls of Congress ... and joking he might just have an NBA career ahead of him.
Charlie caught up with the Senator from Vermont Wednesday on Capitol Hill and asked how he blows off steam when he's away from politics ... and Bernie says his idea of a good time involves his four grandkids -- and a little friendly competition.
Bernie says he plays basketball and soccer with the youngsters -- though he admits they're starting to beat grandpa these days ... which he jokingly called a "real problem."
Charlie naturally had to ask whether Bernie still has a decent jump shot ... and Bernie didn't just talk game, he busted out his shooting form right there in the hallway.
Ex-Olympian David Hearn says President Trump's big mouth makes him wary of Jeanine Pirrodismissing his Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism case but keeping open the possibility of bringing it again ... he says it needs to go away for good, because he doesn't trust Trump to snuff out the witch hunt torches.
In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Hearn says the case against him has always been political and devoid of any strong facts ... and he says Trump is doing little to lower the temperature.
After Pirro moved to drop the charges, Trump said she "choked" under pressure ... and he continues to bang the drum that the Reflecting Pool was damaged by vandals, not shoddy installation -- as Pirro said in her papers.
Ted Cruz says Caitlin Clark is under no obligation to jump into the transgender athlete debate ... but he was more than happy to take his shot -- including one aimed at TMZ DC.
Charlie got the Senator from Texas on Capitol Hill Tuesday and asked whether Caitlin should take a stand after Megyn Kelly called the WNBA star a "coward" for not picking sides after her teammate said young girls in sports shouldn't have to compete against biological men.
Cruz first praised Caitlin as "a hell of a ball player" ... then said athletes shouldn't be required to weigh in on every hot-button topic.
As for his own view, Cruz didn't hold back ... arguing it's unfair for transgender women to compete against biological women -- and challenging Charlie by asking whether it would be fair to let LeBron James play in the WNBA ... then asking if he knew the difference between boys and girls.
Sen. Bernie Morenois taking a flamethrower to his ex-son-in-law Rep. Max Miller... accusing the congressman of putting their family through the "seventh level of hell" amid his bitter divorce and custody battle with Moreno's daughter, Emily.
The family feud exploded into public view Sunday when Miller released a video denying Emily's abuse allegations and claiming she has "significant mental health challenges." Moreno fired back in a blistering statement calling Miller "a danger" to Emily and saying he should not serve in Congress.
Moreno doubled down -- and then some -- when Jacobapproached him Tuesday on Capitol Hill ... dismissing Miller's remarks as the "ramblings of madmen."
Ok, maybe we crossed the line Thursday in DC, but hear us out ... BDE is a thing that's been missing from the Democratic Party for a while, but maybe it's back!
Charlie ran into Senator Jon Ossoff as he was about to board an elevator, so he only had one shot at a quick question and a short answer. Well, Charlie delivered big time.
Why not ask the Senator from Georgia if he has BDE? Fact is, he does. As for how that sat with the Senator, well, he understood what Charlie was saying, judging by his smirk.
Although the 39-year-old didn't embrace his new moniker, he tipped his hat to Charlie by essentially saying only an Aussie would have the balls to ask that.
Sam Altman says artificial intelligence probably won't kill us all ... so you can stop being polite to ChatGPT ... but he's not entire ruling out the worst-case scenario.
Charliegot the OpenAI CEO on Capitol Hill Thursday and asked him point-blank ... what percentage chance there is that A.I. wipes out humanity?!?
Sam says the odds are "very low," but wouldn't put a specific number on it ... or even a range.
Dr. Anthony Fauci isn't being railroaded like alleged Communist sympathizers during the Joe McCarthy era ... so says Rep. Nancy Mace.
The Congresswoman from South Carolina joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday to discuss the ongoing hearings ... and she pushed back on Harvey Levin's argument that this is just Red Scare McCarthyism 2.0.
Rep. Mace strongly disagrees ... saying Senator McCarthy targeted innocent people in different groups to destroy them -- whereas Congress is investigating a man who really did some serious damage.
Sen. Bernie Sandershas some beef with RFK Jr.'s advice for Americans feeling squeezed by soaring meat prices ... saying many families can't even afford the basics, let alone steak.
Charlie caught up with the Senator from Vermont Thursday on Capitol Hill and asked about President Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary suggesting families buy liver or cheaper cuts due to the rising cost of beef.
Hunter Biden and the rapper YG have something in common ... they're not afraid to yell "F*** Donald Trump" at the top of their lungs!
Joe Biden's son appeared on Barstool's "Macrodosing" podcastin an episode published late Wednesday night ... and he made it clear there's no love lost for Trump or any of his descendants.
7:46 AM PT ... Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the newylweds had dinner at Spago and got married at the Terrazza di Sogno in The Bellagio.
During the ceremony, Marjorie walked out to the song, "Ordinary," by Alex Warren and two other tunes played while the fountains went off behind them. Those songs were "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and "Fly Me The Moon" by Frank Sinatra," which closed out the ceremony.
The couple also enjoyed playing craps, roulette, and the slots with family and guests staying at the Bellagio.
That's right ... the former Georgia congresswoman tied the knot with Glenn in Sin City on Tuesday -- and we got photos of the newlyweds wearing their wedding gown and tux.
Check 'em out ... Marjorie and Brian look happier than clams as they stroll -- hand-in-hand -- through the famed Bellagio Hotel to hit the craps table.
Sen. Mark Kelly says President Trump doesn't care about making Americans' lives better ... because all Trump cares about is "bull**** and corruption."
Charlie got the Senator from Arizona Tuesday in D.C. and asked if a Democratic prez would have the gumption to dismantle pieces of Trump's legacy ... like his plans for a White House ballroom and an arch.
Kelly says the next Dem who wins the presidency will be focused on improving our country ... not obsessing over "bull**** and corruption."
Lindsey Graham's funeral just wrapped in Washington ... and politicians from both parties gathered in the nation's capital to say goodbye to the longtime South Carolina senator.
President Trump delivered remarks during the funeral at Washington National Cathedral. He recalled his rocky start with Graham ... joking that leaking the senator's personal cell number during the 2016 campaign somehow became "the beginning of a friendship."
Ben McKenzie could be headed from "The O.C." to D.C. ... if the crypto bros keep pissing him off and he decides to run for political office.
Our intrepid producer Charliegot the 'O.C.' star Monday on Capitol Hill, where the actor was testifying against the CLARITY Act ... but the real campaign tease came when Charlie asked if all these Washington trips might lead to a new career in politics.
While Ben tells us he hopes it doesn't come to that, he doesn't exactly slam the door shut ... adding, "If I get so mad, I might do it."
