Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has felt the wrath of Republicans over allegations he hid the true origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was eventually pardoned by President Joe Biden during his last days in office to avoid any prosecution. However, he was subpoenaed by Sen. Rand Paul to appear before a hearing on the outbreak and the U.S. response. It does not shield Fauci from state-level prosecutions or from investigations into any testimony that he did give that lawmakers thought was false. The referral now goes to the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, which will decide whether or not to investigate or potentially attempt to prosecute the doctor for contempt.