AdvertisementUpdated WorldNorth AmericaCoronavirus pandemic Fauci faces contempt finding after pleading Fifth Amendment on COVID-19 origins Michael Koziol Updated July 30, 2026 — 5:11am ,first published 2:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. AP Photo/Allison Robbert The 85-year-old, who retired in 2022, accused Republican committee chairman Rand Paul of having an “unhinged obsession” with him. Republican lawmakers still attempted to question Fauci over the ensuing three hours, prompting him to plead the Fifth each time. At Wednesday’s hearing, Paul specifically asked Fauci whether, during the period of his pardon, he destroyed any federal records, or instructed anyone else to. AP Paul said the committee would vote next week on whether to find Fauci in contempt.