Dr. Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in dramatic Senate hearing on Covid pandemic

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former top U.S. health official, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, regarding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and his prior testimony. The hearing, convened by Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), aimed to scrutinize Fauci's truthfulness in previous appearances before Congress.

Fauci stated that he made the decision, based on legal advice, to avoid answering questions due to concerns about potential perjury charges. He accused Senator Paul, a long-standing adversary, of attempting to ensnare him in a misstep that could lead to prosecution. Fauci's attorney further alleged that Paul's motivation for the hearing was solely to punish Fauci.

The dramatic invocation occurred amidst ongoing tensions between Fauci and Republican lawmakers over the handling of the pandemic and accusations regarding the origins of COVID-19, particularly the lab leak theory. While President Joe Biden had previously issued a preemptive pardon for Fauci, some Republicans suggested it would not cover any potential perjury committed during this specific hearing.