NEW: Rand Paul Sets Vote to Hold Dr. Fauci In Contempt of Congress

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) scheduled a vote to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions at a Senate hearing, invoking his Fifth Amendment right dozens of times.

Fauci appeared before the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday where he refused to answer any questions as he was grilled on everything from his now-released Covid-era diary, the origins of Covid, to lockdown measures taken during the pandemic.

Paul came out swinging in the hearing, accusing Fauci of tarnishing his legacy and “aiding and abetting the crime” of lockdowns. The senator, who chaired the committee hearing, later threw out Fauci’s lawyer after multiple interruptions.

The senator wrapped up the hearing by giving the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases one more opportunity to answer questions. Paul argued that Fauci’s Fifth Amendment answers were “unsupported” because of his presidential pardon and the fact that he did testify with an opening statement — in which he accused Paul of having an “unhinged obsession” with him.

CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig argued during the hearing that Fauci is “probably within his rights” to invoke the Fifth Amendment, but Paul and other Republicans disagree.

Paul informed Fauci that there will be a vote next week on whether to hold him in contempt.

Check out the exchange below:

RAND PAUL: Let’s be clear today about what we’ve seen. I really did want to hear from Dr. Fauci. I wanted to hear perhaps an apology, perhaps some semblance of being sorry for what happened or that judgment errors were made. We didn’t hear any of that. But he was subpoenaed here to testify. H refused to answer questions even directed by the chair and being advised of the law requiring him to do so. He has cited a privilege that is unsupported because of his blanket pardon and because he waived the privilege by testifying at the start. I’m going to give you one more opportunity to comply with the law. Limited to the period of your pardon, at any point between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2014 and January 19th, 2025, did you destroy any federal record or tell anybody else to?

ANTHONY FAUCI: Under the advice of counsel I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.

PAUL: Given that you have an unlimited presidential pardon, what is your specific objection that you are making?

FAUCI: Under the advice of counsel I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.

PAUL: My question was limited to the period of your pardon only. I find your objection unsupported and direct you to answer the question.

FAUCI: Under the advice of counsel I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.

PAUL: Because you refuse to answer citing a privilege that is unsupported because of your pardon and after being denied to do so, this committee has scheduled a vote next week on a resolution certifying your contempt.

Watch above via Fox News.

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