Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment at Senate COVID Hearing, Faces Contempt Vote

In late July 2026, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate hearing on COVID-19 chaired by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. Fauci declined to answer questions about the virus's origins, citing what he called Paul's 'unhinged obsession' with him. The hearing was part of an ongoing Republican-led investigation into the pandemic response.

Following the hearing, Florida's attorney general announced an investigation into Fauci, and Senator Paul said the committee would vote on holding him in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify. A formal contempt vote is expected next week.