Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment Rights In Senate Hearing, Accuses Rand Paul Of 'Unhinged Obsession With Me'

Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer questions during a Senate hearing Wednesday morning, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights and accusing committee chair Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has said Fauci should be 'behind bars,' of an 'unhinged obsession with me.' In a prepared opening statement, Fauci accused Paul of calling him to testify 'to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up in his words, quote, behind bars.' After Fauci declined to answer a series of questions from Paul, Paul said it is 'against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress,' alleging there will be 'repercussions' for Fauci's refusal to testify. Paul ordered security to remove one of Fauci's lawyers from the room after he attempted to speak following Paul's claim Fauci will be subject to 'repercussions' for refusing to testify. 'You are being disruptive,' Paul said, adding, 'Another word and you're gone,' before asking security to escort him from the room. 'Let the record state that Dr. Fauci will still have the advice of the other half-dozen attorneys that he brought along today,' Paul said.