Fauci deploys Fifth Amendment shield as Senate hearing unfolds

Former NIH Director Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly at a high-stakes Senate hearing to avoid self-incrimination, aiming to limit new fodder for attacks on Covid-era actions. His strategy kept public focus on lawmakers rather than himself, even as Rand Paul weighs a contempt referral that would face tough political and procedural odds. The episode also spotlighted broader political backlash against Fauci and raised questions about potential prosecutions, while some of his associates faced repercussions tied to the ongoing investigations.