Anthony Fauci invokes fifth amendment during heated US Senate hearing

On July 29, 2026, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), appeared before the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. During the high-stakes session, the 85-year-old official invoked the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, refusing to answer over 100 questions. Fauci stated that he feared Republican lawmakers were attempting to trap him into making statements that could lead to perjury charges.

The proceedings were marked by intense confrontation, particularly between Fauci and Republican Senator Rand Paul. The hearing focused on the origins of COVID-19, federal funding related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and controversial gain-of-function research. While Senator Paul accused Fauci of publicly supporting the natural origin theory while privately suggesting a lab-based origin, Fauci characterized the senator’s line of questioning as an obsession. During the hearing, one of Fauci’s attorneys was removed from the room after a sustained dispute with Senator Paul.

Fauci’s reliance on the Fifth Amendment is described not as an admission of guilt, but as a protective measure against potential legal pressure. The hearing concluded as a focal point for ongoing legislative efforts to scrutinize federal management of the pandemic.