Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, publicly declined to be questioned in a US Senate hearing that probed the origins of the Covid‑19 pandemic. He cited fear of being used for criminal charges, invoking the Fifth Amendment to protect himself from self‑incrimination.
The hearing followed Senator Rand Paul’s release of over 1,000 pages of Fauci’s own writings, some of which touch on the possibility that Covid‑19 could have leaked from a laboratory. Paul has relentlessly pursued the lab‑leak theory, claiming Fauci’s private notes contradict his public statements that the virus emerged naturally.
Fauci has previously testified under oath about the pandemic’s beginnings, but during this session he refrained from answering any questions, arguing that allowing the probe to continue could lead to perjury charges. The senator’s aides were attempted to be removed from the room when a lawyer seated beside Fauci tried to interject.
The hearing intensified tensions among lawmakers. Republicans such as Senator Josh Hawley expressed “contempt of this body”, while Democrats including Senator Maggie Hassan defended Fauci, accusing the Senate of “entrapment.” The debate touches on broader concerns about the federal response to Covid, current public health threats, and the partisan split over the pandemic’s narrative.
The U.S. official picture below shows Fauci during the Wednesday hearing.
The hearing followed Senator Rand Paul’s release of over 1,000 pages of Fauci’s own writings, some of which touch on the possibility that Covid‑19 could have leaked from a laboratory. Paul has relentlessly pursued the lab‑leak theory, claiming Fauci’s private notes contradict his public statements that the virus emerged naturally.
Fauci has previously testified under oath about the pandemic’s beginnings, but during this session he refrained from answering any questions, arguing that allowing the probe to continue could lead to perjury charges. The senator’s aides were attempted to be removed from the room when a lawyer seated beside Fauci tried to interject.
The hearing intensified tensions among lawmakers. Republicans such as Senator Josh Hawley expressed “contempt of this body”, while Democrats including Senator Maggie Hassan defended Fauci, accusing the Senate of “entrapment.” The debate touches on broader concerns about the federal response to Covid, current public health threats, and the partisan split over the pandemic’s narrative.
The U.S. official picture below shows Fauci during the Wednesday hearing.
