Former White House top medical advisor Anthony Fauci has invoked his constitutional right under the Fifth Amendment to not answer questions during a US Senate hearing regarding the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in a hearing chaired by Republican Senator Rand Paul, who has long criticized Fauci's role during the pandemic and raised questions on issues such as funding for virus research and the origins of COVID-19. During the testimony, Fauci stated that, on the advice of his lawyers, he would exercise his right to remain silent if they could expose him to self-incrimination. He also criticized Senator Paul, accusing him of a continuous campaign against him, writes CNN. Senator Rand Paul opposed Fauci's decision to remain silent, arguing that he should answer questions from Congress.