During a contentious Senate hearing Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times in response to questions from lawmakers.
Fauci, who also served as a medical advisor to multiple presidents, clashed with Republican senators, particularly Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. Paul accused Fauci of having an "unhinged obsession" with him and stated that the hearing's purpose was to elicit information that could vindicate Paul's calls for Fauci's prosecution.
Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, was escorted out of the hearing room after attempting to interject on his client's behalf, an action Paul deemed inappropriate given Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment.
Security Clearance Revelation
In the latter part of the hearing, Senator Paul revealed that Bill Gates held a Q security clearance from 2014 to 2021. This clearance, granted by the Department of Energy, is functionally equivalent to a Top Secret clearance. Paul stated Gates obtained this clearance due to his involvement with TerraPower, a company focused on nuclear innovation.
Earlier in the hearing, Senator Rick Scott of Florida questioned Fauci about his partnerships with Bill Gates on global health initiatives and vaccines, as well as any knowledge of Gates partnering with China on sensitive research. Fauci declined to answer these questions. Scott also inquired about Fauci's involvement in classified government programs and whether he maintained an active national security clearance, to which Fauci offered no response.
Fauci and Gates have had ties for over two decades. Fauci served on a scientific advisory board that received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation beginning in 2003. He was also involved in a 2010 initiative backed by the foundation and other global health organizations to develop a Global Vaccine Action Plan. Gates indicated in 2021 that he and Fauci maintained regular contact throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gates himself recently appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a closed-door interview concerning his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Questions on Pandemic Work and Awards
Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, questioned Fauci regarding the use of federal staff and resources to solicit awards recognizing his work during the pandemic. Hawley alleged that Fauci utilized eight federal employees on government time to pursue these accolades and implied financial gain.
Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to Hawley's questions. Hawley countered that a previous pardon should have stripped Fauci of this protection, citing a Supreme Court ruling, though legal scholars reportedly hold divided opinions on the matter.
Fauci's personal diaries, released earlier this week, have also drawn attention, reportedly detailing his interactions with celebrities during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The diaries were referenced during Wednesday's hearing, highlighting Fauci's prominent public profile during the pandemic.