Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment at COVID-19 Hearing

Why it matters locally: While Dr. Fauci's testimony is a national matter, ongoing federal inquiries into the COVID-19 pandemic and its origins could influence future public health policy and funding that affects the operations of healthcare providers across North Dakota.

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WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), invoked his Fifth Amendment right on Wednesday during a Senate hearing addressing the origins of COVID-19 and the government's response to the pandemic. Fauci declined to answer senators' questions, stating his concern that Republicans might use his testimony to pursue perjury charges. He appeared before the congressional committee investigating these matters. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides individuals with the right to refuse to answer questions in a legal proceeding if their answers might incriminate them. Fauci's decision not to testify marks a notable development in ongoing congressional inquiries into the pandemic.