Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment As Rand Paul Ejects His Attorney From Senate Hearing
Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer questions at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing in Washington on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.[1]
Fauci's attorney David Schertler repeatedly tried to speak from the witness table despite warnings that he was not recognized, and chair Sen. Rand Paul ordered security to remove him.[2] Schertler was escorted out as some in the gallery applauded.[2] Sen. Gary Peters interjected that he wanted to hear from the attorney, but Paul denied recognition and said counsel could advise Fauci privately.[2] Paul added on the record that Fauci still had the advice of about "half a dozen" attorneys present.[2]
The GOP-led hearing was convened to examine the federal response to COVID-19, and Fauci was called as the sole witness to answer questions about pandemic-era decisions.[1] Paul told Schertler he had been instructed not to sit at the witness table, ordered him to sit in the row behind Fauci, and told him to remain silent.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- During the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, attorney David Schertler repeatedly attempted to speak at the witness table without being recognized.
- Committee chair Sen. Rand Paul warned Schertler multiple times that he was not recognized, told him he had been instructed not to sit at the witness table, and ordered him to sit in the row behind Fauci and remain silent.
- After Schertler continued speaking despite warnings, Paul directed security to remove him from the hearing room and the attorney was escorted out as some attendees in the gallery applauded.
- Sen. Gary Peters, the committee's Democratic ranking member, interjected that he wanted to hear from the attorney, but Paul denied recognition, saying only Fauci was there to testify and that counsel could advise him privately.
- Paul stated on the record that Fauci still had the advice of roughly "half a dozen" attorneys present even after Schertler was removed.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- During the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, attorney David Schertler, identified as one of Anthony Fauci's lawyers, repeatedly attempted to speak without being recognized.
- Committee chair Sen. Rand Paul warned Schertler multiple times that he was not recognized to testify and had been told not to sit at the witness table, instructing him to sit in the row behind Fauci and to remain silent.
- After Schertler continued speaking despite warnings, Paul directed security to remove him from the hearing room, and the attorney was escorted out as some attendees in the gallery applauded.
- Sen. Gary Peters, the committee's Democratic ranking member, interjected that he wanted to hear from the attorney, but Paul denied recognition, stating that only Fauci was there to testify and that counsel could only advise him privately.
- Paul stated on the record that Fauci still had the advice of roughly "half a dozen" attorneys present even after Schertler was removed.