Senate Hearing Turns Hostile as Paul Expels Fauci Attorney

A Senate hearing examining the federal government's COVID-19 response erupted in a dramatic confrontation on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, when Sen. Rand Paul ordered Capitol Police to remove Dr. Anthony Fauci's attorney from the hearing room. The incident occurred as Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions.

Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee under subpoena to testify about pandemic-era decisions, federally funded research, and the origins of COVID-19. In an opening statement, Fauci accused Paul of conducting a politically motivated hearing intended to pressure him into making statements that could later be used as a basis for criminal allegations. He referenced Paul's previous calls for investigations and said he believed the senator's goal was to see him imprisoned.

When questioning began, Fauci refused to answer, citing advice from his legal team and his constitutional protections. According to Paul, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times during the nearly four-hour...