US Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt over Covid hearing

The United States Senate committee has decided to hold former health official Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress due to his refusal to answer questions during a hearing regarding his management of the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision, which followed a party-line vote, triggers the committee's referral of the matter to the Justice Department for potential prosecution, stemming from Fauci's non-compliance with a congressional subpoena.

Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times during his testimony in the previous week, a move that infuriated Republican lawmakers. Former President Joe Biden had previously granted Fauci an ex-parte pardon prior to the end of his term in 2025, shielding him from federal prosecution for his actions between 2014 and 2025.

However, Fauci remains vulnerable to prosecution for any actions occurring post-2025, including contempt of Congress, as well as potential state or local charges not covered by the pardon. Committee Chair Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, emphasized during the vote that the issue at hand is not Fauci's opinions or policies, but his refusal to comply with the committee's order to answer questions.