Sen. Paul Says Senate Committee Will Vote to Hold Fauci in Contempt

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will vote next week to declare Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.

He invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and accused Paul, chairman of the committee, of trying to put him “behind bars.”

Having led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades, Fauci became the primary public face of the U.S. pandemic response.

Tensions flared during Wednesday's hearing as Paul challenged Fauci's right to withhold answers.

“There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today,” Paul said. He also mentioned that former President Joe Biden had already granted him a blanket, pre-emptive pardon for any COVID-19-related charges.

"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.

Days before the hearing, Paul released over 1,100 pages of personal diaries written by Fauci during the pandemic, spanning from late 2019 to late 2022.

In them, Fauci reflected on his fame and the origins of COVID-19. The release of these diaries sparked severe political and public backlash.

Critics argued the entries prove Fauci knew as early as 2020 that a "lab leak" was probable and that the market was likely not the origin—yet he publicly guided the public to believe in a natural origin.

In response to over 100 inquiries, he offered the exact same response: "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution."

Fauci maintained the scripted line even when Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) pressed him with basic questions like, "What day of the week is it today?" "What color tie are you wearing?" and "What color is the carpet in front of you?"

Hawley then said Fauci had no rights under the Fifth Amendment, quoting a Supreme Court precedent saying that a U.S. citizen may not "stand upon his privilege" after being pardoned.