Latest file · testimony
Fauci invokes the Fifth at Senate hearing
At a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer questions about the pandemic response and COVID-19 origins.
Fauci testifies at a House appropriations hearing during the early AIDS era. The image documents his long history before Congress; it is not from the 2026 proceeding.
NIAID / public domain ↗Finding / current assessment
The hearing and Fauci’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment are documented. Invoking the Fifth is a constitutional right and is not, by itself, proof of criminal conduct. The underlying accusations remain contested.
What the record shows
- 01
The committee subpoenaed Fauci to testify under oath.
- 02
Fauci said he followed legal advice because lawmakers had repeatedly threatened prosecution for alleged false testimony.
- 03
Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during the approximately three-hour hearing.
- 04
Republican senators characterized his refusal as obstruction; Democratic senators described the hearing as politically motivated.
- 05
Chairman Rand Paul said the committee plans to vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt.
- 06
One of Fauci’s attorneys was removed from the hearing room after attempting to address the committee.
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