![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260729-anthony-fauci-mn-0925-cf23d0.jpg\")
Dr. Anthony Fauci is sworn in Wednesday.Alex Wroblewski \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\nDr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer senators\u2019 questions at a hearing Wednesday on the origins of Covid and the government\u2019s handling of the pandemic, saying he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right to avoid the possibility that Republicans could try to use his testimony to prosecute him for perjury. <\/p>\n
The surprise decision shook up the hearing, which was expected to be contentious given Fauci\u2019s previous public clashes with Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky.<\/p>\n
In his opening statement to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Fauci pointed to Paul\u2019s \u201cobvious obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me\u201d and his decision to publicly release the doctor\u2019s personal journal. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something \u2014 anything \u2014 that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words \u2014 quote \u2014 \u2018behind bars,\u2019\u201d Fauci said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny reasonable person who has followed his unhinged obsession with me would readily come to the same conclusion,\u201d he continued. \u201cTherefore, 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 5th Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Anthony Fauci is sworn in Wednesday.Alex Wroblewski \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Fauci also pointed to his previous appearances before House and Senate committees. He said in his opening remarks that during the nearly 40 years that he served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he testified before or briefed congressional committees \u201cwell over 200 times.\u201d During his tenure, he said he \u201cproved that I believe in and respect the value of legitimate congressional oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite Fauci\u2019s refusal to respond, Paul still used his time at the hearing to ask the doctor a series of questions.<\/p>\n
Fauci answered each question with the same line: \u201cOn the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the 5th Amendment to the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the end of his questioning, Paul told Fauci that he would face \u201crepercussions\u201d for not answering questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe committee will have to consider after this hearing what appropriate action should be taken against you for the failure to testify after being directed to do so,\u201d Paul said. \u201cIt\u2019s against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress. There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., questions former Fauci Wednesday.Anna Moneymaker \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
When Paul concluded, Fauci\u2019s attorney tried to say something to the lawmakers. He was repeatedly cut off by Paul, who said he was not recognized to speak. Moments later, Paul ordered security to remove Fauci\u2019s lawyer from the committee room.<\/p>\n
Shortly after Fauci\u2019s lawyer left the hearing, he told NBC News that Fauci \u201chas a valid Fifth Amendment privilege, and he has the right to assert it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I was trying to tell the committee, and that\u2019s all I was trying to tell the committee,\u201d the lawyer said.<\/p>\n
![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260729-fauci-schertler-mn-0940-4c1bef.jpg\")
David Schertler, the attorney for former NIH Director Anthony Fauci, is removed from the hearing room.Anna Moneymaker \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
The top Democrat on the committee, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., slammed the Republicans\u2019 handling of the hearing, saying in his period of questioning that he believed the hearing \u201cdoes real damage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tempting to turn one person into the scapegoat for a crisis that hundreds of officials across both the Trump and the Biden administration were responsible for handling,\u201d Peters said, adding that people were facing death threats. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is only going to, unfortunately, deter other scientific experts from public service to understand that this is what they would have to go through as they provide their advice to us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Separately, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told reporters that he would not ask Fauci questions during his allotted time to speak. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis show trial is a perjury craft for criminal prosecution going forward,\u201d Blumenthal said, calling Fauci\u2019s decision to exercise his Fifth Amendment right \u201cthe more prudent course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, Blumenthal used his period of time to defend Fauci and criticize Republicans\u2019 handling of both the hearing and health issues facing the country. <\/p>\n
\u201cPut aside all the flowery rhetoric that we hear in the United States Senate,\u201d he said. \u201cDr. Fauci has saved lives, as have public health officials in the United States and throughout the world. And today, we are demeaning and degrading their lifesaving service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of the hearing, Paul pointed to the possibility of Fauci facing prosecution for perjury if he lied to Congress. Paul has previously alleged that Fauci has lied to Congress, an allegation that Fauci has denied. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Paul responded to a reporter\u2019s question about how he would respond to people who argue that the senator was trying to put Fauci in a position to perjure himself. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no risk to perjury if you tell the truth,\u201d Paul said. \u201cIn fact, he can even admit to not telling the truth in the past. He can admit destroying records. He can admit to, you know not adequately presenting both sides of equations, which isn\u2019t really a crime. He can admit to anything. The only thing he can\u2019t do is lie again.\u201d<\/p>\n