By Adam Cancryn, Sarah Owermohle, CNN
(CNN) – Dr. Anthony Fauci showed up at a crucial Senate hearing on Wednesday with a straightforward aim: to get through it. The former leading government scientist felt he achieved that goal, according to people close to Fauci who spoke with CNN.
By invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times, Fauci provided Senate Republicans plenty of soundbites for social media, but he denied them any chance to build a case against him for perjury. He steered clear of getting dragged into ongoing disputes about Covid-19 and its origins.
His supporters argued that his silence shifted the focus back onto the lawmakers who have pursued him for years in search of proof that he mishandled the Covid crisis. In fact, some allies mentioned that Fauci’s unredacted diary from the pandemic era released by Paul days earlier – which contained raw and sometimes unflattering notes about his private discussions and colleagues – might have been more damaging to his public image than the hearing itself.
“They overplayed their hand,” said one person familiar with Fauci’s situation. “And I think most of the country saw it as it was.”
The lengthy hearing only seemed to escalate the long-standing conflict between Fauci and GOP Senator Rand Paul, who vowed a vote next week on holding the 85-year-old scientist in contempt for not testifying. However, advisers around Fauci had decided before his appearance that he had no option but to keep invoking the Fifth Amendment due to how willing the Trump administration has been to target political opponents based on often flimsy evidence.
Paul and other Republicans – including US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – suggested openly that the main purpose of the hearing was to gather evidence for new perjury charges that wouldn’t be covered by a preemptive pardon given to Fauci by then-President Joe Biden in 2025.
Fauci’s team worried that if he chose to testify, Republicans would latch onto any inconsistency in his previous statements as grounds for those accusations, no matter how minor.
“There was no other option,” one person close to Fauci explained. “Rand Paul has millions of documents from his 50-year career. (Fauci) has nothing prepared.”
A spokesperson for Fauci declined any comment. Paul’s office did not respond when asked for comments.
But showing they anticipated challenges from Republicans regarding his Fifth Amendment rights, scientists involved revised Fauci’s opening statement multiple times ensuring he didn’t speak about his actions during Covid in ways that could potentially undermine his claim against self-incrimination, one source noted.
Instead, Fauci used his opening remarks solely to criticize the hearing itself, accusing Paul of having an “unhinged obsession” with imprisoning him. Additionally, his team intentionally kept their plans around invoking the Fifth Amendment under wraps beforehand so Republicans had no time to prepare specifically for this scenario.
This choice – along with Republicans’ unusual decision to drag out proceedings while using it as a platform to attack him again – has thrust the former health official back into public attention after three years away from it all.
Though he left government service in 2023 after becoming such a polarizing figure during early responses to Covid-19, much of his retirement has involved consulting lawyers and close aides trying ward off Republican investigations.
Difficulties haven’t just affected him; some associates like Christine Grady-Fauci’s wife-were among senior health officials reassigned or let go amid cuts at NIH led by Kennedy.
An additional former colleague of Fauci’s named David Morens faced charges in April regarding concealed federal records; Morens-a dedicated civil servant without prior criminal issues-was taken into custody by armed federal agents dressed tactically.
This incident heightened worries among some allies regarding efforts aimed at prosecuting Fauci themselves; they indicated even if there wasn’t a conviction forthcoming new charges could still allow Paul and other GOP members political wins: images showing Fauci handcuffed or arrested.
However it’s uncertain whether Paul’s contempt strategy will create further trouble for Fauci down the line. If successful through committee votes Paul typically would need over sixty votes within full Senate before ultimately suggesting criminal charges toward DOJ-a steep challenge needing Democratic backing too.
Paul maintains however he can skip committee voting altogether sending contempt referrals straight towards Justice Department-but whether this maneuver would hold is unclear yet too.
If this happens still it’ll come down upon federal prosecutors whether they choose charging anything against him personally stemming from contempt allegations or past behavior under scrutiny throughout hearings conducted last week surrounding COVID-related subjects — Donald Trump himself remains ambiguous though expressing willingness targeting opponents legally at times still being unpredictable altogether himself here despite frequent support shown outwardly otherwise.
With arguments put forth already made claiming power held belonging entirely granted via Fifth Amendment regardless underlying pardons done earlier exist since state/local prosecution remains possible based purely off words spoken publicly today later tomorrow eventually shifting future circumstances causing consequences arising suddenly possibly result negatively impacting reputation irreparably perhaps even raising concerns amongst skeptics viewing motives highly suspect overall… @< br/> Thus far emerging opposition continues raising questions regards validity surrounding consistent messaging occurring daily stated repeatedly out loud here concerning why remaining safe seemingly became paramount instead moving forward confidently addressing contentious topics honestly whenever prompted hence why confusion persists clearly visible indicative tensions revealed likely unresolved hanging ominously overhead watching cautiously observing developments unfold waiting patiently anticipating outcomes expected imminently drawing near eventually approaching swiftly indeed./ {(})s{}<##
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With arguments put forth already made claiming power held belonging entirely granted via Fifth Amendment regardless underlying pardons done earlier exist since state/local prosecution remains possible based purely off words spoken publicly today later tomorrow eventually shifting future circumstances causing consequences arising suddenly possibly result negatively impacting reputation irreparably perhaps even raising concerns amongst skeptics viewing motives highly suspect overall… @< br/> Thus far emerging opposition continues raising questions regards validity surrounding consistent messaging occurring daily stated repeatedly out loud here concerning why remaining safe seemingly became paramount instead moving forward confidently addressing contentious topics honestly whenever prompted hence why confusion persists clearly visible indicative tensions revealed likely unresolved hanging ominously overhead watching cautiously observing developments unfold waiting patiently anticipating outcomes expected imminently drawing near eventually approaching swiftly indeed./ {(})s{}<##
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