US Senate to Vote on Holding Anthony Fauci in Contempt Over COVID Questions

Former US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, prompting Republican lawmakers to announce a vote next week on whether to hold him in contempt of Congress.

Fauci appeared before the Republican led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after being subpoenaed by Senator Rand Paul, who has long accused the former White House COVID adviser of misleading Congress about US funded research in Wuhan and the origins of the coronavirus. Fauci has denied the allegations, saying his previous testimony was truthful.

In his opening statement, Fauci said he invoked the Fifth Amendment on the advice of his lawyers because he believed the hearing could expose him to legal risk. He accused Paul of having an "unhinged obsession" with prosecuting him. Throughout the hearing, Fauci invoked the constitutional protection more than 100 times instead of answering questions.

The hearing grew tense when Paul ordered Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, to leave after he repeatedly tried to speak on Fauci's behalf. Paul later announced that the committee will vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt. Republicans hold an 8 to 7 majority on the panel. Paul argued that former President Joe Biden's preemptive pardon means Fauci can no longer rely on Fifth Amendment protections, though he acknowledged the courts may ultimately decide the issue.

The hearing came days after Paul released more than 1,100 pages of Fauci's pandemic era diaries, which Republicans say raise fresh questions about the government's handling of COVID 19. Lawmakers also questioned Fauci over Wuhan research funding, gain of function research and pandemic policies. Fauci has repeatedly denied approving unsafe research or attempting to hide the virus's origins.

More than 150 scientists backed Fauci ahead of the hearing, while Democratic senators defended his constitutional rights. President Donald Trump, who said he watched the hearing, praised Operation Warp Speed but added, "COVID was a disaster, but Fauci did not help."

No contempt finding has been made. The committee is expected to vote next week on whether to begin contempt proceedings against Fauci.