Senate Panel to Vote on Contempt Resolution Against Fauci

A Senate panel is set to vote on holding former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. This decision comes after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times during a COVID-19 hearing. The proceedings stem from Fauci’s role in the national response to the pandemic and his alleged involvement in funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China.

The Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has obtained a cellphone Fauci used during his tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It remains uncertain if the panel can access the device’s content. This development follows HHS turning over more than 1,000 pages of Fauci’s diary to the subcommittee.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., chairs the committee tasked with examining Fauci’s actions. He has subpoenaed Fauci to testify. Paul seeks contempt charges, alleging lies to Congress and contending Fauci played a part in pandemic mismanagement. A source close to Paul’s office claimed the senator also has the cellphone.

During a hearing on Capitol Hill, Fauci declined to testify, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. He stated, “Although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions.” This choice led to intense questioning from Republicans, who inquired about his alleged role in a lab leak. Democrats supported Fauci’s decision, viewing it as a legal safeguard.

Sen. Paul declared that Fauci would face repercussions for his silence, questioning whether a presidential pardon from former President Joe Biden could shield him fully. “I think there’s another legal question that the courts may have to decide upon, and that is whether or not a presidential pardon offers you complete immunity,” Paul noted.

Alex Miller, a Fox News Digital writer covering the U.S. Senate, reported these developments. The HHS has not commented on Fauci’s pandemic-era iPhone.