Dr. Anthony Fauci, appearing under subpoena, opened by stating he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions. He then repeatedly used a nearly identical phrase in response to questions from Paul and other senators.Key excerpt from his opening statement:
“Although it pains me to do so because of the respect that I have for the legislative branch of government and my decades long record of cooperating with Congress, under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the 5th Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions.”
He justified the decision by accusing Paul of an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution,” “repeated slanderous comments,” and releasing his personal diary “aimed at embarrassing and intimidating me.” Fauci said the “sole reason” for the hearing appeared to be an attempt to get him to say something that could support Paul’s public pledges to put him “behind bars.” He described Paul’s focus as an “unhinged obsession.”This is reportedly the first time Fauci has invoked the Fifth in more than 250 congressional appearances over his career.