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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedJuly 29, 2026United States

Dr. Anthony Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment During Senate Hearing

Former NIH scientist Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer over 100 questions during a Senate committee hearing, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The hearing, led by Senator Rand Paul, focused on Fauci's past testimony regarding the origins of COVID-19 and NIH-funded research.

COVID-19Congressional HearingPublic HealthGovernment OversightFifth Amendment
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Why It Matters

The committee is scheduled to vote next week on whether to hold Dr. Fauci in for his refusal to answer questions, a move that could lead to further legal or procedural consequences.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer more than 100 questions during a Senate hearing by invoking his Fifth Amendment rights.
  • The Senate committee is scheduled to vote next week on whether to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress.
  • Senator Rand Paul ejected Dr. Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, from the hearing room.
  • Senator Rand Paul released over 1,000 pages of Dr. Fauci's personal diary entries prior to the hearing.
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated his department recovered the diary entries from government property.
  • More than 150 infectious-disease experts signed a letter defending Dr. Fauci against the committee's accusations.
  • The hearing examined whether NIH-funded research at a lab in Wuhan, China, contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Dr. Fauci received a pardon from President Joe Biden in early 2025.
  • The Trump administration announced new rules on Tuesday to tighten oversight of gain-of-function research.
  • A 2024 GOP-led subcommittee investigation found no evidence linking Dr. Fauci to wrongdoing regarding pandemic origins.

Who's Mentioned

personAnthony Fauci“Former NIH scientist and lead COVID-19 response official.”personMaggie Hassan“Democratic Senator from New Hampshire.”personJoe Biden“Democratic President who issued a pardon to Fauci in early 2025.”personRobert F. Kennedy Jr.“Health Secretary who provided Fauci's diary entries to the committee.”personDavid Schertler“Attorney for Dr. Fauci.”organizationNational Institutes of Health“The federal agency where Fauci worked for 40 years.”organizationEcoHealth Alliance“Nonprofit that received NIH grants for research involving a Chinese lab.”personRand Paul“Republican Senator from Kentucky leading the committee hearing.”personDonald Trump“President who commented on the hearing and pandemic-era policies.”