Anthony Fauci pleads the Fifth during Senate hearing about Covid origins
The former top US health official invoked his constitutional right not to answer questions under oath.
Anthony Fauci, formerly a leading figure in US health, declined to answer questions during a Senate committee hearing concerning the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, citing his Fifth Amendment rights.
The Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution protects individuals from being "compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself."
Fauci's decision to invoke the amendment occurred at the outset of Wednesday's hearing. This followed the recent public release by Republican Senator Rand Paul of Fauci's personal writings, which included reflections on his public profile and thoughts on Covid's origins.
Fauci, who previously directed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), indicated that Senator Paul's disclosure of his diary entries was a contributing factor in his refusal to respond to senators' inquiries.
He accused Paul of attempting to elicit incriminating statements from him while under oath.
Fauci stated, "Although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government ... under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the constitution to refrain from answering your questions."
Invoking the Fifth Amendment does not equate to an admission of guilt; rather, it serves to safeguard individuals from coercion, errors, and the unfair shifting of burdens.