Anthony Fauci refuses to answer questions during US Senate hearing about Covid origins
Former health official Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during a US Senate hearing regarding the origins of Covid-19. Fauci stated he feared Republican lawmakers would use his testimony to pursue perjury charges.
Why it matters
The event highlights the intense political polarization surrounding the investigation into the pandemic's origins and the legal strategies used by public figures under scrutiny.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Madeline Halpert and Max Matza Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in showdown with Republican lawmakers Former top US health official Anthony Fauci has refused to answer questions at a tense US Senate hearing on Covid-19, saying he feared Republicans would try to use his testimony to prosecute him for perjury.
He invoked the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution - which says nobody can be "compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself" - more than 100 times.
Contradicting himself under oath could be legally perilous for him. Fauci noted he had testified about Covid and its origin at several congressional hearings.
Republicans have long accused Fauci of concealing information about the pandemic from the public and lying about its dangers. He has denied wrongdoing.
Fauci has called the allegations against him "simply preposterous" in previous testimony to lawmakers.
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