Retired immunologist Anthony Fauci, 85, has declined to answer questions from United States senators about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, invoking protections under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Repeatedly, Fauci offered the following line: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based on my rights under the Fifth Amendment.” Fauci led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the time when the COVID-19 crisis began in late 2019 and early 2020. Using the Fifth Amendment does not imply guilt or innocence. Experts say that Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment during his testimony allows him to sidestep calls for his prosecution, if he is accused of lying at Wednesday’s hearing.