On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, former White House COVID-19 adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci testified under subpoena before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., regarding his role in the national response to the pandemic.

During the hearing, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right more than 100 times, refusing to answer questions. In response, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called for Fauci to be held in contempt of Congress, prosecuted for perjury, and sent to jail. Cruz accused Fauci of showing contempt for both Congress and the American people for decades, stating, "His diary shows that he deliberately lied to the American people over and over and over again."

Cruz further remarked, "Years from now they'll look back and say, ‘What collective madness overtook this country?’" He also labeled Fauci as "the most damaging bureaucrat in the history of America."

These comments followed Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul's announcement that he would seek contempt charges against Fauci for refusing to answer questions throughout the hearing to avoid self-incrimination.

Cruz emphasized that Fauci should consider that his legacy will be defined by his extensive use of the Fifth Amendment during the hearing.

Sources