The Latest: Senate plans vote to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer COVID-19 questions

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer questions from senators in a Republican-led committee hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky subpoenaed Fauci to appear before a Senate committee. It's part of Paul's yearslong accusations that the now-retired infectious disease expert had lied about the pandemic, something Fauci has called "preposterous." Paul closed the hearing by saying lawmakers will vote next week on whether to hold the now-retired infectious-disease expert in contempt for refusing to testify.

Democrats on the committee generally defended Fauci for refusing to engage, but Republicans hold an 8-7 majority on the panel. President Donald Trump told reporters, "I watched the whole thing today," when asked about Fauci's testimony.

The chairman said senators will vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt for declining to answer questions.

Paul argued that Biden's presidential pardon means Fauci no longer has a Fifth Amendment privilege, though he added that it's a "legal question that the courts may have to decide."

The senator did not say whether he would push for a criminal contempt referral to federal prosecutors, a civil contempt charge referral to a federal court or the rarest form of congressional contempt, an internal Senate charge in which the chamber's sergeant-at-arms can detain a witness.

Several Republicans hammered Fauci for not engaging, while Democrats generally defended him.

"Well, nothing says honesty like taking the 5th, huh, doc?" the Republican Missouri senator said, launching immediately into a searing critique of Fauci declining to answer questions.

In fact, individuals who invoke constitutional protections not to answer questions under oath are not admitting guilt of any crime.

In a public letter, more than 150 infectious-disease experts and other scientists wrote that "no credible evidence has been produced to support these absurd charges" and that they are "urging our elected representatives in Congress stop these witch-hunts."

Paul said Fauci's representatives and advisers "are all allowed to talk to him. ... But the attorneys are not recognized" to address lawmakers.

"Please remove him from the room," Paul said.