Sen. Rand Paul said the Senate committee may pursue further action after Anthony Fauci declined to answer questions, while security removed Fauci’s attorney for repeatedly attempting to address the panel.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., warned former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci on Wednesday that he could face consequences for refusing to answer questions before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, even after the panel directed him to testify.
Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned about his role in the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul argued that former President Joe Biden’s preemptive pardon of Fauci undermined his claim that answering the committee’s questions could expose him to prosecution for conduct covered by the pardon.
“The Chairman has denied your assertion of privilege and directed you to answer. But you nonetheless refuse and stand on privilege despite the existence of the pardon,” Paul said. “The Committee will have to consider, after this hearing, what appropriate action should be taken against you for the failure to testify after being directed to do so.”
Paul then warned Fauci that the committee could examine whether his refusal constituted obstruction of a congressional investigation.
“It’s against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress. There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today,” Paul said.
The tense exchange was followed by a separate confrontation involving Fauci’s attorney, identified as David Schertler. Paul, who chairs the committee, said Schertler was permitted to advise Fauci but had not been authorized to testify or make statements before the panel.
When Schertler attempted to speak, Paul told him he could counsel his client but could not address the committee. After the attorney tried to speak again, Paul directed a security officer to remove him from the hearing room.
Paul noted that Fauci had approximately a half-dozen other attorneys present and said Schertler’s removal would not leave the former federal official without legal representation.
Fauci appeared before the committee involuntarily as lawmakers continued examining his decisions and public statements during the coronavirus pandemic. He led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for roughly four decades, including throughout the federal government’s response to COVID-19.
Paul has repeatedly accused Fauci of supporting gain-of-function research in China that he believes contributed to the creation of the virus and the outbreak of the pandemic. He has also accused Fauci of giving false testimony to Congress about the nature of U.S.-funded research connected to China. Fauci declined to answer questions addressing those allegations and relied on his Fifth Amendment protections.
The hearing came after Paul released more than 1,100 pages of Fauci’s typewritten pandemic-era notes earlier in the week. The documents renewed scrutiny of what Fauci privately understood about the origins of COVID-19 and whether those views differed from his public statements at the time.
Biden issued Fauci a preemptive pardon before leaving office. The pardon document covers federal offenses arising from actions taken through Jan. 19, 2025.
Paul suggested that the pardon would not protect Fauci from potential legal exposure arising from statements or conduct occurring during Wednesday’s hearing because those events took place after the pardon’s effective date. The committee did not immediately announce what specific action it might consider in response to Fauci’s refusal to answer.
Original article
Comments