On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who played a leading role in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic, invoked the Fifth Amendment during testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) in Washington, D.C. Fauci declined to answer questions, citing legal advice.

In his opening statement, Fauci said, "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 Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions."

Fauci noted that over his 38 years as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he has testified before or briefed congressional committees more than 200 times.

The hearing included confrontations with Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has long accused Fauci of misleading the public about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci responded to Paul's actions, including the public release of his unredacted personal diary, by stating that the sole reason for the hearing was to provoke him into making statements that could support Paul's calls for Fauci's prosecution.

Senator Ron Johnson questioned Fauci's diary entries, accusing him of lying about not being shown a March 2020 reopening plan sent to governors by then-President Donald Trump.

The hearing was marked by tension, with committee members admonishing disruptive behavior and emphasizing procedural rules.

Fauci expressed concern that the hearing could cause harm, stating, "I think today's hearing, unfortunately, does real damage," and warned against making one individual a scapegoat for a crisis managed by numerous officials across multiple administrations.

Sources