Stayed silent more than 100 times: Senate rules Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress

The U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, in a Republican majority, ruled that Dr. Anthony Fauci is in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions at a hearing and invoked his right to remain silent more than 100 times. Chairman Rand Paul will refer the matter to the Justice Department, arguing that Biden's pardon negates the risk of self-incrimination. Fauci accused Paul of a personal vendetta.

The U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee voted today (Thursday) along party lines to determine that Dr. Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is in contempt of Congress. The decision came after Fauci refused to answer questions at a hearing held last week, invoking his Fifth Amendment right more than 100 times. Committee Chairman Senator Rand Paul announced he would refer the matter to the Justice Department to consider prosecution for contempt of Congress. Paul argued that the preemptive pardon Biden granted Fauci negates the fear of self-incrimination, so he did not have the right to remain silent. In contrast, Fauci's lawyers and Democrats argued that the pardon does not cover future offenses like perjury, and that there is concern about proceedings at the state level. Fauci accused Paul of conducting a "personal vendetta" against him. The decision does not obligate prosecutors to act, and there is a legal dispute over the committee's authority to refer the matter directly to the Justice Department. Democrat Gary Peters warned of broad implications for future witnesses.