Fauci: US Senate to vote on impeachment for contempt of Congress
The former director of the Government Institute for Infectious Diseases invoked the Fifth Amendment during the hearing
US Senator Rand Paul, Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, will push for the approval of a charge of contempt of Congress against Anthony Fauci, after the former US Covid-19 czar invoked his right to remain silent regarding the origin of the pandemic, as guaranteed by Fifth Amendment.
“This is a vote that will take place in committee next week. It will concern the charge of contempt of Congress,” Paul explained to journalists at the end of the hearing, during which Fauci invoked his right against self-incrimination more than a hundred times.
“We believe that, given his immunity from criminal liability, he did not need to hide behind the Fifth Amendment and that perhaps that right cannot be invoked when one has been granted a pardon,” Paul continued, referring to pre-emptive pardon granted by former President Joe Biden to the scientist: a measure that protects him solely from federal criminal proceedings for actions carried out up to the date of its issuance, 19 January 2025.
“It may be a legal matter, but the motion on contempt will be put to a vote. It remains to be seen whether the Department of Justice will decide to take the matter further,” Paul concluded.
Fauci, who for decades has been the US federal government’s leading expert on infectious diseases, invoked the Fifth Amendment during his hearing before the Committee. In his opening remarks, he spoke of ‘an obsession with criminalisation’ against him and obstinacy, leading him to invoke the Fifth Amendment, which protects against ‘unjust’ and vexatious actions by the government. When questioned, the scientist replied that he was relying on the protection of his rights.
