Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) announced Tuesday that he is taking steps this week to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after the diminutive doctor pleaded the Fifth well over 100 times during his Senate hearing last week, despite Paul's warning to Fauci that he was straying into dangerous waters.
"During the hearing," said Paul, "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 will act accordingly.”
SEE ALSO: Rand Paul's Damning Fauci Revelation That Everybody Missed
Paul is arguing that Fauci's Fifth Amendment protections did not apply because of the presidential pardon he received from President Biden. Additionally, says the senator, Fauci waived any remaining privilege when he gave his opening testimony before the Senate panel.
It all amounts to Fauci obstructing a congressional investigation, argues Paul.
BREAKING: Sen. Rand Paul is moving to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over a hundred times during last week's Senate hearing.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 4, 2026
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is set to vote Thursday morning on… pic.twitter.com/nvpl7vCIJj
BREAKING: Sen. Rand Paul is moving to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over a hundred times during last week's Senate hearing.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is set to vote Thursday morning on Paul's contempt resolution, which says Fauci refused to answer questions despite being under subpoena.
Paul argues Fauci's Fifth Amendment protections no longer applied because of his presidential pardon and that Fauci also waived any remaining privilege by delivering opening testimony.
Fauci refused to answer anyway, which Paul says amounts to obstruction of a congressional investigation.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee, which Paul chairs, will now markup the contempt charges at a meeting set for Thursday. (Reminder: the Senate's summer recess begins end of day Friday.)
Senate Homeland Security Cmte chair Paul sets Fauci contempt of Congress markup for Thursday. subpoena.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) August 4, 2026
Paul:
“Dr. Fauci appeared under subpoena and invoked the Fifth Amendment to refuse answering questions. During the hearing, I ruled that the Fifth Amendment did not apply…
Senate Homeland Security Cmte chair Paul sets Fauci contempt of Congress markup for Thursday. subpoena.
Paul: “Dr. Fauci appeared under subpoena and invoked the Fifth Amendment to refuse answering questions. 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 will act accordingly.”
Rand Paul said he would hold Fauci accountable, and he is wasting no time making good on that promise.
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