Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination at least 111 times during a contentious Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Wednesday. The proceedings, led by Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.), focused on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, inconsistencies in public versus private statements regarding mandates, and funding for gain-of-function research abroad.
Republicans pressed Fauci on his agency's potential funding of such research in China and questioned his handling of records, citing an email where he allegedly advised NIAID Director Francis Collins to delete an email. Paul also raised questions about the validity of a pardon granted to a former White House COVID czar by President Biden in January 2025.
Democrats on the committee, including Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), criticized the hearing's preparation, stating they were excluded from the process. Despite Fauci's extensive use of the Fifth Amendment, the hearing continued for nearly four hours.
At the conclusion of the testimony, Paul announced that the committee would initiate proceedings for contempt of Congress against Fauci. "Dr. Fauci isn’t liable for anything as long as he tells the truth, even if he admits that he destroyed records on a routine basis," Paul stated, also suggesting that some alleged actions might be outside the statute of limitations.
Key Moments During Testimony
Fauci's refusal to answer extended to questions concerning potential CIA funding of NIAID, a topic Paul claimed to have documentary evidence on. He also invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned about his former senior adviser, David Morens, who faces charges for allegedly concealing and destroying federal records. Paul directly confronted Fauci with an email suggesting a pattern of evasive record-keeping.
Early in the hearing, Paul ordered Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, to be removed from the room after multiple attempts to interject. Schertler had reportedly sent a letter to Paul referencing threats to jail Fauci.
Several Republican senators directed sharp criticism at Fauci regarding pandemic-era policies. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) recounted a story of a mother and children being arrested for not wearing masks outdoors, questioning Fauci's judgment. Senator Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) cited entries from Fauci's own diaries, which he acknowledged as authentic, suggesting he recommended lockdowns to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Biden, despite public denials.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) accused Fauci of using federal employees and taxpayer resources to solicit over $1 million in personal prize money from various awards. Fauci declined to answer this accusation, also invoking his Fifth Amendment right.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) raised concerns about research involving fetal tissue from aborted babies in mice for coronavirus studies, referencing a project named "BLT-L" mice. Fauci again declined to answer when asked if he believed such research should be conducted.