A Senate panel is set to vote on a resolution to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. This action follows a charged COVID-19 hearing where Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights.
Senate Investigative Panel’s Actions
The Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., obtained a cellphone used by Fauci during his tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A spokesperson confirmed this to Fox News Digital, though it’s unclear if the panel can access the phone’s contents.
Contempt Charges Pursued
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., expressed interest in pursuing contempt charges after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over one hundred times during testimony. Fauci, who is a former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was subpoenaed to discuss his role in the national COVID-19 response.
Hearing Developments
The committee received over 1,000 pages from Fauci’s personal diary before the hearing, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal. Sen. Paul had also accused Fauci of funding risky research in Wuhan, China. Despite expectations, the hearing ended with unresolved disputes.
During the hearing, Fauci, advised by his lawyers to plead the Fifth, cited respect for the legislative branch but chose constitutional protection against self-incrimination. This decision sparked heated exchanges among panel members.
Future Legal Questions
Paul raised the question of whether a presidential pardon, presumably from former President Joe Biden, would offer complete immunity for Fauci. He vowed consequences for Fauci’s decision not to answer questions.
Fox News Digital reached out to HHS for comments regarding Fauci’s cellphone but did not receive an immediate response.
Alex Miller from Fox News Digital contributed to reporting on the U.S. Senate developments.