Is Fauci Out Of Woods After Pleading Fifth?

Dr. Anthony Facui pleaded the Fifth to all questioning during his Senate hearing on Wednesday — but is he really in the clear?

On his last day in office — January 20, 2025 — former President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Fauci preventing him from facing prosecution in the future from all his conduct between 2014 and 2025. Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said that Fauci would face repercussions for his refusal to testify during the hearing, according to Politico.

Legal experts are torn over if Fauci will get away with pleading the Fifth or if it could lead to later civil contempt sanctions. If the latter holds true, this would mean that Fauci could face a court order requiring him to testify or he could face fines or imprisonment, Politico reported.

“Fauci can’t be prosecuted by the Feds for anything that happened before Biden’s presidential pardon, and him pleading the Fifth to every question today prevents him from being prosecuted for perjury related to his Senate testimony. Congress could theoretically grant Fauci immunity to compel his testimony, but politically that is highly unlikely because he is so unpopular,” Neama Rahmani, President of West Coast Trial Lawyers and former federal prosecutor told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“By showing up to the hearing, Fauci avoided being in contempt of Congress.  And by refusing to answer any questions, he can’t be charged with false statements, obstruction, or perjury.  It was the right legal move, even though it’s a bad look politically because people think he has something to hide,” Rahmani continued.