Sen. Paul threatens to hold Fauci in contempt. And, a new rule undercuts U.S. asylum

US and Iran Trade Strikes After Brief Pause, Fauci Pleads The Fifth, New Asylum Rule Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is threatening to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and did not answer any questions about the coronavirus pandemic during a Senate committee hearing yesterday. Fauci played a key role as the nation's top infectious disease expert throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The two have long clashed over the origins of COVID-19. Just days before the hearing, Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci's private diary entries from the pandemic period, accusing him of hiding the truth about COVID-19's origins. Dr. Anthony Fauci waits for the start of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 29, 2026. Alex Wroblewski / AFP/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Wroblewski / AFP/Getty Images 🎧 Invoking the Fifth Amendment doesn't equate to admitting wrongdo...