Fauci takes Fifth Amendment, refuses to answer Senate panel questions
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the nation's infectious disease efforts during the pandemic, invoked the Fifth Amendment on Wednesday and declined to answer questions from a Senate committee investigating the origins of COVID-19.
Why it matters: Fauci said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the head of the Senate homeland security committee, was trying to get him to say something that could put him in legal jeopardy.
- Former President Biden gave Fauci a preemptive pardon before leaving office, but Fauci argues he could be in trouble if he makes any statements that could open new lines of investigation for the committee.
What he's saying: Paul has an "unhinged obsession with me," and his motive for the hearing is to "get me to say something — anything — that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars unquote," Fauci said.
- "Although it pains me to do so … under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions," Fauci said.
The other side: "There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today," Paul told Fauci.
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