Florida AG opens investigation into Dr. Fauci

Former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during a Senate hearing on July 29, prompting a new state-level investigation and escalating a years-long political feud over the federal pandemic response.

Fauci appeared under subpoena before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. In his opening statement, Fauci said he was following his attorneys' advice to invoke his constitutional rights, citing what he described as Paul's repeated public pledges to see him prosecuted. He argued the hearing was designed to pressure him into statements that could be used against him. Throughout the session, Fauci responded to every question with the same statement: "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution."

The hearing grew contentious when one of Fauci's attorneys, David Schertler, attempted to speak without being recognized. Paul repeatedly interrupted him and ultimately instructed Capitol security to escort the attorney...