Fauci Invokes Fifth Over 100 Times Prompting Contempt Vote

Former federal health official Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday, July, 29, 2026, setting up a potential contempt of Congress vote and a novel legal debate over the effect of a presidential pardon. The hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, centered on Fauci's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci, 85, who served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and as a White House advisor, appeared under subpoena but declined to answer questions. He stated through the proceedings that he believed Senator Paul was setting a "perjury trap" to justify a criminal referral. Paul responded by announcing the committee would vote on August 5 on holding Fauci in contempt of Congress. "It's against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress," Paul told Fauci during the hearing. "There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify."

The confrontation hinges on a sweeping pardon granted to Fauci by former President Joe Biden on January 19, 2025. The pardon...