Senate Committee Refers Fauci for Contempt of Congress
Vote follows Dr. Fauci's repeated invocation of Fifth Amendment rights and presidential pardon controversy.
Carla Rooney
A Senate committee voted to refer Dr. Anthony Fauci to the Department of Justice for contempt of Congress.
David Schertler, Fauci's attorney, was removed from the room during the proceedings. Schertler stated Paul sought to defend Fauci against threats of “consequences” and “repercussions” for his refusal to testify.
Democratic members of the panel contend Paul has attempted to trap Fauci into a potential misstep, aiming for perjury charges.
Senator Maggie Hassan states Paul tried to lead Fauci into a 'political trap' by eliciting a misstatement for prosecution by Donald Trump’s “weaponized” Justice Department.
The subcommittee has aggressively pursued documents related to public health officials' pandemic handling, including Fauci's journals.
Excerpts from these journals, released before the hearing, reveal Fauci’s negative views of Donald Trump during the early Covid-19 pandemic.
Senator Richard Blumenthal states the hearings mirrored Joseph McCarthy-era attempts to prosecute political enemies.
Gary Peters states the vote will establish a “damaging precedent,” making it harder for any congressional committee to compel witness testimony in future investigations.
The committee will refer the case to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.
Senator Rand Paul stated the committee will first vote on sending a recommendation to federal prosecutors, not immediately seek a full Senate contempt vote.
President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Dr. Fauci, covering official conduct between 2014 and 2025.
Despite this pardon, Dr. Anthony Fauci still faces potential legal risks.
Fauci states the pardon does not protect him from possible state prosecutions or from any allegations of false testimony before Congress.
The phone in question was used by Fauci during his tenure as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Anthony Fauci states Paul has an “unhinged obsession” with him.