Why Fauci took the 5th

Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer questions from senators about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic after being subpoenaed by the homeland security committee led by Sen. Rand Paul.

Fauci received what was viewed as a somewhat unprecedented preemptive pardon to shield him from potential political prosecution from then-president Joe Biden, covering the immunologist's activities in government between 2014 and Biden's last day in office in January 2025. Republicans contended that the pardon wouldn't apply to Wednesday's hearing.

Fauci's decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment at least for now, sidesteps calls for his prosecution from Republicans frustrated with his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his opening statement, he said Paul has an "obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution."

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