Fauci repeatedly pleads Fifth in fiery showdown with Rand Paul
Former National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci repeatedly refused to answer substantive questions from Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul, leaving the Kentucky Republican frustrated but unfazed.
Fauci and Paul previously engaged in heated exchanges during an earlier hearing, when the lawmaker warned the immunologist against lying to Congress about his role in the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic and his support for gain-of-function research.
"I served at the NIH for over 54 years, 38 of those as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Over that period, I proved that I believe in and respect the value of legitimate congressional oversight," Fauci began his opening statement.
"In fact, I testified before and or briefed Senate and House congressional oversight, Senate and House committees well over 200 times over those 38 years during and after the COVID-19 pandemic," said Fauci, who was appointed to his NIAID role by President Ronald Reagan.
RAND PAUL BLASTS FAUCI AS ‘UNCONCERNED WITH LIBERTY', ‘NOT BEING HONEST WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’
Fauci said that because Paul has an "obsession" with demanding his prosecution and allegedly "slander[ed]" him, he felt he was going to be put in a trap to "vindicate [Paul’s] public pledges" that he "end up behind bars."
When Paul began a series of in-depth questions, Fauci began repeatedly pleading his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Paul argued that Fauci did not have that ability during a congressional investigation conducted under a lawful subpoena, noting that it is a crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 to knowingly make false statements to Congress.
When Fauci finished, Paul reiterated that point before Fauci's lawyer began speaking out of turn and was eventually ejected by the chairman.
Reaction was swift as Fauci's refusal to answer questions drew sharp criticism from conservatives and other critics:
"Anthony Fauci is a monster and pleading the 5th is grotesque and every mainstream platform outlet that put him on a pedestal should be ashamed," said Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla.
"The Fifth Amendment is not legitimate," added conservative author and attorney Ann Coulter.
"The Fifth is for past crimes — for which Fauci has already been fully pardoned. I don't think the Biden admin thought this through," she said on X.
Conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck commented on Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, being ejected by Paul after refusing to return to his seat and leave the witness dais.
Schertler kept interrupting Paul’s commands until the chairman had enough and asked Capitol Police to remove him.
"Is anyone surprised that Fauci hired someone who broke the rules and shows contempt for American taxpayers? I’m not," Starbuck said on X.
"Perfect attorney for the evil elf."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., later claimed Schertler had been wrongly "gagged."
Investigative journalist Gerald Posner shared a clip of Fauci invoking the Fifth, criticizing the immunologist for doing so.
"This is not the transparency Americans seeking answers about COVID’s origins and the policies that upended the world wanted to hear," Posner tweeted.
"The Fifth Amendment exists to protect the innocent from government overreach. It should never become a shield against the truth."
"I called the shot this morning. Fauci will plead the fifth," White House adviser Peter Navarro said in a separate message.
Meanwhile, calls mounted to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
Federalist founder Sean Davis said Congress should do just that, noting former President Joe Biden gave him a "blanket pardon" for all activities occurring prior to January 2025.
"There is zero legal justification for him pleading the Fifth Amendment on questions related to his conduct during the period covered by the pardon," Davis said.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich questioned why Fauci would do so, suggesting congressional testimony is intended to inform the public.
"Interesting. It’s about COVID, public health, & the public’s right to know," Blagojevich said.
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that Fauci's actions permanently harmed children affected by his pandemic policy recommendations:
"Parents were forced to live with the consequences of Dr. Fauci's decisions every single day. Our kids lost years of learning, friendships, milestones, and opportunities they'll never get back," Justice said.
"Now, when it's time for accountability, he refuses to answer questions under oath. That's infuriating. The American people deserve answers now."
