Days after the controversial doctor refused to answer every question posed to him by lawmakers during a combative hearing, Anthony Fauci could soon see some consequences.
Longtime critic Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has promised to pursue contempt charges against Fauci, offering an important update on the timeline this week.
According to Breitbart:
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who serves as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC), announced that a date was set to vote to hold former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) chief Anthony Fauci in contempt.
ADVERTISEMENTIt was revealed the committee will hold a vote on Thursday, to decide whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress — after he invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times after appearing before the committee to testify, the Washington Post reported.
The committee also released a resolution with authorized “the President of the Senate to certify the report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding the refusal of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci to answers questions pertinent to the subject under inquiry before the Committee as required by Committee subpoena.”
In a statement, Paul shared that during the hearing he explained that “the Fifth Amendment did not apply because of the pardon.”
The announcement sparked some social media discussion:
About time. If you have a pardon you can't plead the Fifth. He wanted to give opening testimony but then plead the Fifth 100+ times? That IS contempt. Hold him accountable.
— Ama King 👑 (@Lizyung001) August 4, 2026
A committee led by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) plans to hold a vote Thursday morning on whether Anthony Fauci was in contempt of Congress when the scientist refused to answer questions in a hearing last week, Paul’s office announced. https://t.co/StFoGTFB1k
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 4, 2026
Over 100 Fifth Amendments and a presidential pardon… and Fauci still thinks he can stonewall Congress. Let's pray this is the eviction notice.
— Paula Jager (@fittoberight) August 4, 2026
WHAS added these details:
“Dr. Fauci appeared under subpoena and invoked the Fifth Amendment to refuse answering questions,” Paul said. “During the hearing, I ruled that the Fifth Amendment did not apply because of the pardon, and that Fauci had waived any remaining privilege by giving opening testimony. I ordered him to answer and warned him about contempt, yet he still refused. That is obstruction of a congressional investigation.”
The committee vote is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
ADVERTISEMENTLast Wednesday, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during a hearing about the origins and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former President Joe Biden issued Fauci a pardon on his final day in office, but many Republicans contend Fauci could still face charges for any perjury committed during last week’s hearing.
Fauci led the country’s COVID response and served as a lead member of President Donald Trump’s White House Coronavirus Task Force. He has been a Republican target for years with many accusing him of lying about the virus’ origin.
And here’s some additional context:
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