Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment Over 100 Times in Contentious Senate Hearing, Paul Seeks Contempt Charges
Key Insights
Dr. Anthony Fauci (search) invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 (search) pandemic.
Sen. Rand Paul announced the committee will vote next week on holding Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions after being subpoenaed.
Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci's personal diary, alleging contradictions between his private writings and public statements on lockdowns and pandemic origins.
Dr. Anthony Fauci (search), the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a combative Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday, declining to answer more than 100 questions from lawmakers about his handling of the COVID-19 (search) pandemic.
The hearing, led by committee chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), marked the latest escalation in a yearslong feud between the two men. Fauci was subpoenaed to testify after initially declining to appear voluntarily.
"The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, 'behind bars,'" Fauci said in his opening statement. He added that while it pained him to do so, he was following his attorney's advice by invoking the Fifth Amendment.
Contempt Vote Scheduled
Paul announced during the hearing that the committee will hold a vote next week on certifying Fauci's contempt of Congress. "Because you refuse to answer, citing a privilege that is unsupported, because of your pardon, and after being denied to do so, this committee has scheduled a vote next week on a resolution certifying your contempt," Paul said.
The Kentucky Republican argued that Fauci's preemptive pardon, granted by former President Joe Biden in early 2025, may affect his eligibility for Fifth Amendment protections. The pardon covers any offenses from January 1, 2014, through its issue date related to Fauci's government service.
"It's against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress," Paul warned. "There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today."
Diary Release Fuels Controversy
Ahead of the hearing, Paul released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci's personal diary from the pandemic era. The entries have drawn scrutiny for apparent contradictions between Fauci's private writings and his public statements.
In a March 15, 2020, entry, Fauci wrote about conversations with then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio: "I spoke with Bill de Blasio (Mayor – NYC) and convinced him based on what I was saying publicly and my conversation tonight to close the NYC schools." He also noted a similar call with the chief of staff of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, writing that "based on my TV appearances today and yesterday, the Governor has decided to close the schools in California as well as the bars and restaurants."
This contrasts with Fauci's October 2022 interview with ABC News, in which he denied involvement in inspiring lockdowns, stating: "We said we should try as best as we possibly can to keep the children in school."
Paul also raised questions about Fauci's lobbying for a $1 million prize. "We have conversations where he's telling other people at the NIH to nominate him," Paul told Fox News Digital. Fauci was awarded the Dan David Prize in 2021, a $1 million award disbursed by the Israel-based Dan David Foundation.
Attorney Ejected from Hearing
In a heated moment, Paul ordered Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, removed from the hearing room after he repeatedly attempted to speak without being recognized. "You are not recognized, sir," Paul said multiple times before directing security to remove Schertler, prompting applause from some in attendance.
Schertler called the removal "outrageous and demonstrates the completely biased and baseless nature of this proceeding" and described Paul's accusations about Fauci as "false and disgraceful."
Partisan Divide on Display
Democratic senators on the committee came to Fauci's defense. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) said, "This hearing is designed to entrap you." Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) criticized Paul's conduct, calling the hearing a "biased and selective effort" to legitimize predetermined conclusions.
Republicans pressed Fauci aggressively. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) asked whether Fauci would apologize to business owners, families, and those who lost loved ones, before exclaiming: "Who the f*** do you think you are? It is a total disgrace what you did to this country."
Scientific Community Responds
More than 150 infectious-disease experts and other scientists signed a public letter defending Fauci ahead of the hearing, writing that "no credible evidence has been produced to support these absurd charges" and urging elected officials to "stop these witch-hunts."
The hearing also revisited questions about NIH-funded research in China and whether it involved gain-of-function studies. Paul alleged Fauci's support for such research was "extensive and long-standing." Fauci has previously stressed that the bat virus experiments in question could not have produced the pandemic virus, stating "it would be molecularly impossible."
A GOP-led subcommittee that studied the question in 2024 found no evidence linking Fauci to wrongdoing. Many scientists believe the virus most likely emerged in nature and jumped from animals to people at a wildlife market in Wuhan, China.
President Donald Trump weighed in on social media ahead of the hearing, writing that he "overrode Fauci" on Operation Warp Speed and that Fauci's ideas were "CRAZY." Trump also stated that Fauci "strongly disagreed" with the lab-leak theory, "always trying to protect China."
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) warned that Biden's pardon "doesn't cover Dr. Fauci's testimony this week and if he continues to lie, he must be held accountable."