WASHINGTON — In a dramatic and contentious hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical advisor to the president, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times, refusing to answer questions from Republican lawmakers about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the origins of the virus.
The nearly three-hour hearing, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), quickly devolved into a series of tense exchanges as Fauci repeatedly responded to lawmakers’ questions with the same refrain: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.”
Why Is Fauci Being Questioned?
Fauci was subpoenaed to appear before the committee as part of Republicans’ yearslong investigation into the federal government’s COVID-19 response. Republican senators have long accused Fauci of concealing information about the pandemic from the public, lying about its origins, and covering up unfavorable information about COVID-19 vaccines.
In the weeks leading up to the hearing, Paul released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci’s personal diaries, which Republicans used to suggest that Fauci had lied in earlier congressional testimony. Fauci has consistently denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations against him “preposterous.”
Fauci’s Defense: Fear of Prosecution
In his opening statement, Fauci made his position clear, accusing Paul of leading an “unhinged” campaign to see him imprisoned.
— Dr. Anthony Fauci, opening statement
“Although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government, and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress, under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions,” he added.
Taking the Fifth Amendment is not an admission of guilt—it is designed to protect individuals against coercion and self-incrimination. Fauci noted that contradicting himself under oath could be legally perilous, particularly given Paul’s stated desire to see him prosecuted.
Key Moments from the Hearing
Sen. Bernie Moreno Erupts
Perhaps the most explosive moment came when Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) grew visibly frustrated with Fauci’s refusal to answer questions. In a heated exchange, Moreno used an expletive to express his anger.
Moreno: “Here I am sitting in front of you six years later saying who the f*** do you think you were for doing that? It is a total disgrace what you did to this country.”
Sen. Josh Hawley Presses Fauci
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) also challenged Fauci’s repeated invocations, suggesting they were a deliberate tactic to avoid accountability.
Hawley: “I think I know why you’re doing it. It’s because you don’t want to answer questions.”
Fauci’s Lawyer Escorted Out
A dramatic procedural dispute unfolded when Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, attempted to interject during Paul’s questioning. Paul, as committee chair, declared that Schertler was not recognized and had him escorted out of the room by security.
Schertler later called the move “outrageous,” saying it “proves the baseless and vindictive nature of this proceeding and Rand Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci.”
Sen. Gary Peters Defends Fauci
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the panel, pushed back against Republican criticism and argued that Schertler should be allowed to speak. Sen. Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.) directly addressed Fauci, saying, “It must be enormously frustrating to know that this hearing is designed to entrap you.”
The Pardon Controversy
A central point of contention throughout the hearing was the preemptive pardon Fauci received from former President Joe Biden before leaving office in January 2025. The pardon covered any possible federal offenses committed between 2014 and the end of Biden’s presidency.
Republicans argued that the pardon removed any legitimate basis for Fauci to refuse to testify truthfully. Paul told Fauci that the pardon would not shield him from new offenses, including potential obstruction of a congressional investigation.
— Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
What Comes Next: Contempt Vote
At the conclusion of the hearing, Paul announced that the committee would vote next week on a resolution to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
“Because you refuse to answer, citing a privilege that is unsupported because of your pardon, and after being denied to do so, this committee has scheduled a vote next week on a resolution certifying your contempt,” Paul said.
If approved by the committee, the contempt resolution would advance to the full Senate, where it would require 60 votes to move forward—a high bar in a narrowly divided chamber.
What Is Fauci Accused Of?
Republicans have leveled a series of accusations against Fauci, including:
- Lying about the origins of COVID-19 – Republicans accuse Fauci of concealing information about the virus’s origins and misleading Congress.
- Funding risky research – Paul has argued that Fauci and the NIH funded gain-of-function research in China that Republicans say sparked the pandemic.
- Covering up vaccine information – Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) accused Fauci of covering up unfavorable information about COVID-19 vaccines, which he described as “experimental gene therapy.”
- Destroying records – Paul accused Fauci of destroying records related to the pandemic response.
Fauci has forcefully denied all these allegations.
A Legacy Under Scrutiny
Dr. Anthony Fauci, now 85, served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for nearly four decades and was a key figure in the U.S. response to multiple public health crises. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush for his work on HIV/AIDS research.
However, his role in the COVID-19 pandemic made him a target of Republican frustrations, with critics accusing him of overreach and missteps in pandemic guidance. To his supporters, Fauci has remained an emblem of sound scientific expertise during an unprecedented global health crisis.
Wednesday’s hearing marked at least his 20th appearance before a congressional committee since the emergence of the coronavirus—but it was unlike any that came before it.