Why did Anthony Fauci invoke the Fifth Amendment? Senate hearing explained

Dr Anthony Fauci, a former top United States public health official, has declined to answer questions at a Republican-led Senate committee hearing into the origins of COVID-19 and the handling of the pandemic.The former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination on Wednesday.Recommended Stories list of 1 itemlist 1 of 1Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in heated COVID-19 Senate hearingend of listFauci was called to testify by Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who accuses him of misleading Congress and questions whether US-funded research in China played a role in the pandemic, allegations Fauci denies.Although former President Joe Biden granted Fauci a preemptive pardon in 2025, Republicans claim it does not protect him from any alleged crimes committed after it was issued, such as perjuring himself at a Senate hearing.Fauci’s lawyers advised him not to testify, arguing that anything he said under oath could expose him to new legal risks.Here is what to know:Who is Anthony Fauci?Fauci, 85, is a physician and immunologist who led the US NIAID for 38 years, advising seven pr...