Article By David Lindfield
Dr. Anthony Fauci’s battle with congressional Republicans may be far from over after the former public health official invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said Fauci’s refusal to answer questions undermines confidence in the sweeping pardon issued by former President Joe Biden’s autopen during his final hours in office.
“If former President Biden’s blanket autopen pardon is valid, then Dr. Fauci has no right to refuse to answer questions,” Comer said after the hearing.
“Dr. Fauci clearly knows his autopen pardon is on legally questionable grounds and decided to protect himself today rather than provide the truth to the American people.”
Fauci Faces Questions Over Pandemic-Era Diary
Fauci appeared before a Republican-led Senate panel amid renewed scrutiny of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic following the release of a diary he maintained during the crisis.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), a longtime Fauci critic who chaired Wednesday’s hearing, released diary entries showing the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director discussing the origins of COVID-19 and reflecting on the public attention he received during the pandemic.
Some entries appeared to show Fauci taking credit for influencing policies that resulted in prolonged school closures.
Those entries could conflict with testimony Fauci provided to the House Oversight Committee in January 2024.
“I did not close the schools,” Fauci told the committee at the time.
Comer said the diary should have been provided to House investigators during the Biden administration but was withheld by former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
“Based on the release of Dr. Fauci’s diary, which should have been provided to the House Oversight Committee last Congress but was withheld by then-HHS Secretary Becerra, we’ll be asking Dr. Fauci whether he stands by his previous testimony to our Committee,” Comer said.
“Dr. Fauci’s actions and lies caused irreparable harm to Americans, and he must face accountability.”
Republicans Question Scope of Biden Pardon
Biden granted Fauci one of several controversial preemptive pardons shortly before leaving office.
The pardon covers potential offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and the date it was issued, including conduct connected to Fauci’s service as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and COVID-19 Response Team, and chief medical adviser to the president.
Republicans argue that the pardon would not protect Fauci from criminal liability arising from false statements or other conduct occurring after Biden left office.
“Americans are still reaping the consequences of Dr. Fauci’s actions,” Comer said before the hearing.
“Biden’s pardon doesn’t cover Dr. Fauci’s testimony this week, and if he continues to lie, he must be held accountable.”
Fauci’s repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment is likely to intensify debate over whether Biden’s pardon is legally valid and whether it shields the former official from further congressional scrutiny.
Paul Threatens Contempt Proceedings
Paul said the Senate panel will vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
A contempt referral would then require action by the Justice Department before Fauci could face prosecution.
A conviction for contempt of Congress could carry a fine of up to $100,000 and a prison sentence of up to one year.
The threatened vote ensures that Fauci’s pandemic-era conduct, his previous congressional testimony, and Biden’s last-minute pardon will remain under intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
Be the first to comment