Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment, Faces Senate Contempt Vote in COVID-19 Hearing
On July 29, 2026, Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Rand Paul, declining to answer questions about his COVID-19 pandemic response. Paul ordered security to remove Fauci’s attorney and threatened contempt of Congress, with a committee vote scheduled for next week. Fauci, who received a presidential pardon from Joe Biden in 2025, accused Paul of an “unhinged obsession.” The hearing highlighted deep partisan divisions over pandemic accountability.
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Senators vote to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for pleading the Fifth during tense hearing
A U.S. Senate committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in contempt of Congress. The vote followed a tense hearing where Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer questions about the origins of COVID-19 and his role in pandemic response. The contempt citation, driven by Republican senators, accuses Fauci of obstructing the committee's investigation. The move is largely symbolic and unlikely to result in criminal prosecution, but it escalates the political battle over pandemic accountability. Fauci has denied wrongdoing and argues the investigation is politically motivated. The vote highlights ongoing partisan divisions over COVID-19 origins and public health policy.
Read sourceThree state attorneys general subpoena Anthony Fauci over Covid guidance
Three state attorneys general have subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, over his role in shaping COVID-19 guidance. The subpoenas are part of a broader investigation into whether Fauci profited from federal guidance. Concurrently, a Senate committee is set to vote on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment during a deposition. Legal debates have emerged over whether Fauci can be punished for pleading the Fifth. The developments mark an escalation in political and legal scrutiny of Fauci's pandemic-era actions.
Read sourceFauci Faces Contempt of Congress Vote Tomorrow
Dr. Anthony Fauci will face a contempt of Congress vote on Thursday, August 6, 2026, before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Rand Paul. The resolution alleges Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment during a recent hearing is 'unsupported' because former President Joe Biden pardoned him before leaving office. Fauci's lawyers argue he is on 'solid legal ground' due to potential state or local prosecution threats not covered by the federal pardon. The committee, with an 8-member Republican majority, is expected to pass the resolution. Paul indicated he may send the criminal referral directly to the Department of Justice, bypassing a full Senate vote. Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison.
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Fauci refuses to answer Senate Covid questions, invokes Fifth Amendment
Former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions during a three-hour Senate hearing on the government's Covid-19 pandemic response, repeatedly invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Senator Rand Paul, who subpoenaed Fauci, threatened to call a vote on a resolution declaring him in contempt of Congress. In his opening remarks, Fauci accused Paul of having an 'obvious obsession' with seeing him prosecuted, stating that the sole purpose of the hearing was to get him to say something that could lead to criminal charges. Fauci's attorney criticized Paul for building his 'personal brand' around prosecuting Fauci for 'imaginary crimes.' Paul expressed disappointment that Fauci did not apologize or acknowledge judgment errors. The hearing highlighted lingering public anger over lockdowns, vaccines, and mask mandates. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on the contempt resolution on August 5.
Read sourceFauci invokes Fifth Amendment, refuses to answer Senate Covid questions
Former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions during a three-hour Senate hearing on the government's Covid-19 pandemic response, repeatedly invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The hearing was convened by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who subpoenaed Fauci and threatened to call a vote on a contempt of Congress resolution. In his opening remarks, Fauci accused Paul of having an 'obvious obsession' with seeing him prosecuted, stating that the sole purpose of the hearing was to get him to say something that could lead to criminal charges. Fauci's attorney criticized Paul for building his 'personal brand' around prosecuting Fauci for 'imaginary crimes.' Paul expressed disappointment that Fauci did not apologize or acknowledge judgment errors in the pandemic response. Politico noted that the combative hearing revealed that public anger over lockdowns, vaccines, and mask mandates remains strong six years later. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on the contempt resolution on August 5.
Read sourceFauci Refuses to Answer Senate Covid Questions, Invokes Fifth Amendment
Former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions during a three-hour Senate hearing on the government's Covid-19 pandemic response, repeatedly invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The hearing was convened by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who subpoenaed Fauci and threatened to call a contempt of Congress vote. In his opening remarks, Fauci accused Paul of an 'obvious obsession' with seeing him prosecuted, stating the sole purpose of the hearing was to get him to say something that could lead to criminal charges. Fauci's attorney criticized Paul for building his 'personal brand' around prosecuting Fauci for 'imaginary crimes.' Paul expressed disappointment that Fauci did not apologize or acknowledge judgment errors. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on the contempt resolution on August 5. Politico noted that the hearing revealed lingering public anger over lockdowns, vaccines, and mask mandates.
Fauci Refuses to Testify in Senate Hearing on COVID-19 Pandemic Role
Former top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci refused to testify before a Senate investigative committee on July 30, 2026, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times. Republicans accused the 85-year-old immunologist of being responsible for the global coronavirus pandemic and enriching himself while people died. Democrats defended Fauci, thanking him for his work and warning that the hearing could deter scientists from public service. Senator Rand Paul, a longtime critic, threatened to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress. The hearing produced no new findings on the pandemic's origin or government response, with observers characterizing it as political theater. Fauci argued the hearing was unlawful, citing Paul's obsession with his criminal prosecution and the recent leak of his personal diary.
Read sourceFauci Refuses to Testify Over 100 Times in US Senate Hearing, Invoking Fifth Amendment
During a tense US Senate hearing led by Republicans, former coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times, refusing to answer questions about the pandemic. Republicans, led by Senator Rand Paul, accuse Fauci of making false statements under oath in previous hearings and have subpoenaed him. Paul published over 1,000 pages of Fauci's personal pandemic diaries before the hearing. Democrats describe the proceeding as politically motivated. Fauci stated he followed his lawyer's advice due to Paul's 'obsession' with criminal charges. A committee vote on holding Fauci in contempt of Congress is scheduled for next week. Fauci was pardoned by former President Biden in early 2025, but Republicans still consider indictment possible.
Read sourceFauci invokes Fifth Amendment, declines to testify in Republican-led COVID-19 Senate hearing
Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during a Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on July 29, 2026, declining to answer questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing was led by Sen. Rand Paul, who has long called for Fauci's prosecution. Fauci, who received a pardon from President Joe Biden in early 2025, stated that Paul's 'obvious obsession' with his prosecution was the sole reason for the subpoena. Republicans accused Fauci of lying about the origins of the coronavirus, while Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated entrapment. The hearing featured heated exchanges, including the ejection of Fauci's attorney. Fauci has been a polarizing figure, receiving death threats amid ongoing partisan divides over the pandemic response.
Read sourceFauci Faces Senate Contempt Vote After Invoking Fifth Amendment
Former COVID-19 chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to face a contempt vote in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee next week. The vote follows Fauci's decision to assert his Fifth Amendment rights during a hearing regarding his handling of the pandemic. Committee Chair Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) stated that it remains an open legal question whether Fauci's protection from a pardon and his Fifth Amendment rights apply in this context. The contempt vote could escalate the political and legal confrontation over Fauci's pandemic response and communications.
Read sourceFauci Invokes Fifth Amendment Over 100 Times in Senate Hearing; Contempt Vote Looms
Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer over 100 questions during a Republican-led Senate hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing, chaired by Senator Rand Paul, focused on allegations of dishonesty regarding the origins of the coronavirus and Fauci's pandemic response. Fauci, who received a presidential pardon from Joe Biden in early 2025, said he followed his attorney's advice to avoid self-incrimination. Paul announced a committee vote next week on holding Fauci in contempt. The hearing featured heated exchanges, including Paul ejecting Fauci's attorney. Prior to the hearing, Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci's personal diary, which Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said were found on government property. Democrats criticized the hearing as a politically motivated entrapment attempt.
Read sourceFauci Invokes Fifth Amendment, Rand Paul Threatens Contempt of Congress
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Senate committee chaired by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on July 29, 2026, but declined to answer any questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. In his opening statement, Fauci accused Paul of an 'unhinged obsession' with him and said the sole purpose of the hearing was to get him to say something that could lead to prosecution. Paul threatened to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress, arguing that a pardon from former President Joe Biden precludes Fauci from using the Fifth Amendment. Paul also ordered security to remove one of Fauci's lawyers from the room. Legal experts note that the pardon does not eliminate the risk of state or local prosecution, allowing Fauci to still plead the Fifth. The committee is expected to vote on contempt next week.
Read sourceRand Paul Orders Removal of Fauci's Attorney from Senate Hearing
On Wednesday, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, ordered security to remove one of Dr. Anthony Fauci's attorneys from the hearing room. The incident occurred after Fauci, the longtime infectious disease expert, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The attorney attempted to speak multiple times, but Paul refused to officially recognize him, leading to the removal. The hearing is part of ongoing congressional scrutiny of Fauci's role in the COVID-19 pandemic response and related communications.
Read sourceFauci Invokes Fifth Amendment, Derails Republican Covid Hearing
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a Republican-led Senate committee hearing on July 29, 2026, effectively refusing to testify. The hearing, chaired by Senator Rand Paul, was intended to examine Fauci's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fauci accused Paul of an 'obsessive vendetta' and stated that the sole purpose of the subpoena was to provoke him into saying something that could lead to his prosecution. Paul had previously posted hundreds of pages from Fauci's pandemic-era diary online. Early in the hearing, Paul had one of Fauci's attorneys, David Schertler, removed from the room. The article notes that Fauci had been pardoned by former President Joe Biden for a prior perjury charge related to Covid testimony, but House Oversight Chairman James Comer warned that the pardon would not cover new testimony. The hearing marks a significant escalation in the long-running political conflict between Fauci and Republican lawmakers.
Read sourceFauci Pleads the Fifth, Derails Republican COVID Hearing
Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a Republican-led Senate committee hearing on July 29, 2026, effectively refusing to testify about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing was convened by Senator Rand Paul, who has long called for Fauci's prosecution. Fauci accused Paul of an 'obsessive vendetta' and said the subpoena was intended to intimidate him. Paul had previously posted hundreds of pages from Fauci's pandemic-era diary online. Early in the hearing, Paul had one of Fauci's attorneys, David Schertler, removed from the room. Fauci's legal team argued that the Fifth Amendment was necessary to protect him from being 'ensnared by ambiguous circumstances.' The hearing follows a 2023 perjury charge against Fauci that was later pardoned by former President Joe Biden, though House Oversight Chairman James Comer warned the pardon would not cover new testimony.
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