Breaking
Dr. Anthony Fauci, pictured during the July 29 Senate hearing where he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights to avoid testifying, has been cited for contempt of Congress. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)
By Johnathan Jones August 6, 2026 at 7:49am
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.
The resolution cleared the panel by an 8-7 margin along party lines.
🚨 BREAKING: Rand Paul’s Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted to hold Dr. Fauci in CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS following his improper invocation of the fifth amendment
Paul is BYPASSING Senate Democrats, and bringing this straight to the DOJ.
This is a SERIOUS crime, which can… pic.twitter.com/WVINctbCUu
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 6, 2026
Senate Homeland Security Committee Votes to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in Contempt of Congress, 8-7. pic.twitter.com/I3AVzUH8CC
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 6, 2026
Republicans pushed the measure forward after months of escalating tensions over Fauci’s past congressional testimony.
Will Fauci eventually be charged with a crime?
Fauci pleaded the Fifth repeatedly during a hearing last week when probed about contradictions between public and private statements about the COVID pandemic.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky released a statement immediately following the vote praising the committee’s decision.
“Passed by Republicans on behalf of the millions of Americans and their families still affected years after the COVID pandemic, the resolution to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress has passed out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by a vote of 8-5,” Paul said in the statement posted to the social media platform X.
PASSED BY REPUBLICANS ON BEHALF OF THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES STILL AFFECTED YEARS AFTER THE COVID PANDEMIC, THE RESOLUTION TO HOLD ANTHONY FAUCI IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS HAS PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BY A VOTE… https://t.co/9wgO1KeMd2
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) August 6, 2026
While Paul’s post was attacked by a number of Fauci supporters, other X users were grateful.
Thank you @SenRandPaul for pursuing some form of accountability for the people of the world affected by this man’s lies and deception that caused DEATH & DESTRUCTION to the world. He should be jailed for a 5yr period for every time he plead the 5th.
— CarlJ (@TrumpWars2020) August 6, 2026
On his last full day in office, former President Joe Biden issued a full and unconditional preemptive pardon to Fauci.
The pardon covered any potential crimes Fauci might have committed from January 2014 to January 2025.
Fauci’s lawyer attacked Thursday’s decision in a statement to NBC News.
“Today’s resolution is a continuation of Senator Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci, who spent 50 years in public health and has saved countless lives,” attorney David Schertler said.
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Johnathan Jones is a journalist, novelist, and media analyst with experience as a reporter, editor, and producer across radio, television, and digital platforms. Follow him on X: @misterjkjones
