US Senate panel votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress

If the contempt referral proceeds, the US Attorney’s Office in Washington would review it and decide whether to seek a grand jury indictment

A US Senate committee voted on Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after the former top US infectious disease official refused to answer questions about his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a referral pushed by its Republican Chair Rand Paul of Kentucky, a long-time Fauci antagonist. The vote followed a hearing last week where Fauci, who is 85 and retired in 2022, invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times.

Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years, became the face of the US pandemic response and a primary target of anger over measures taken against a virus that killed more than 1.1 million Americans.

President Donald Trump and many conservatives criticised him over lockdowns, mask and social-distancing guidance, and his promotion of vaccines, which became heavily politicised despite being shown safe and effective. Fauci and public health officials worldwide backed the measures based on scientific evidence available at the time.

Former president Joe Biden preemptively pardoned him in January 2025, to guard against “unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions” related to Covid-19 or his role in the response. The pardon does not cover subsequent conduct.

Paul said Fauci had no valid Fifth Amendment claim because the pardon nullified it and because Fauci waived any remaining protection by testifying.