Eric Tucker

The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs voted along party lines to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right more than 100 times during questioning about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican chairman Rand Paul argued that Fauci's pardon from Joe Biden removed the risk of federal prosecution, while Fauci and Democrats said he had legitimate grounds to fear self-incrimination. Paul plans to refer the matter directly to the Justice Department, though Democrats question the legality of bypassing the full Senate and warn that the move could undermine constitutional protections for congressional witnesses. Prosecutors are not required to act on the referral, and Fauci's pardon does not cover potential state charges or allegedly false testimony.