- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
What he’s saying: Paul has an “unhinged obsession with me,” and his motive for the hearing is to “get me to say something — anything — that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars unquote,” Fauci said.
“Although it pains me to do so … under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions,” Fauci said.
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He should have Freudian slipped all of his answers with this “I invoke the Trump/Epstein fil…I mean my right to plead the 5th!”
Another one being crucified while leftist turn their backs on
I think he should have done what the cons do and just not even fucking show up.
Honestly what else could Dr. Fauci do?
This was a show trial, existing not to address the factual errors behind the Covid pandemic, but to trip Dr. Fauci into accidentally taking responsibility for the President’s idiotic policy. In his position I think I’d plead the 5th as well.
Besides the Republicans should be the last people criticising him, considering they often refuse to answer even basic factual yes or no questions.
Just came from this post linking to an article quoting several of Fauci’s diary entries that were released by Rand Paul. It’s obvious Paul thinks nobody will actually read the entries because they are frankly anything but damning. Fauci was more restrained and respectful of Trump than I ever could have expected of someone in his position. It’s clear that this is all nothing but political charades.
It’s a show trial in service of a vendetta. And Rand Paul deserves another beatdown from his elderly neighbor.
“I don’t recall.”
Or answer subpoenas
The Dow is over 50,000 are they even allowed to ask questions?
Yep, the 5th protects you against bullshit charges too believe it or not. Perfectly valid.
I wish he would answer the way MAGAts do, and give completely unrelated responses. Paul: “Dr Fauci, <bs question>?” “Fauci: Well I’m glad you asked me about Trump diarrhea…”
I would love it if he just kept saying Epstein over and over
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I understand that this is BS questioning, but I’m still surprised that Fauci pleaded the 5th. I feel this isn’t the first time we’ve had BS investigations(or investigations into completely valid crimes) by Congress, but I’m uncertain of other times people pleaded the 5th (vs deflecting questions or speaking the truth about the line of questioning).
Am I wrong about that? It’s there a reason Fauci decided on the 5th rather than shutting down they’re BS?
Lawyers will almost always advise staying silent. It’s genuinely a right that US citizens have, and one that’s not exercised often enough. Back in February, Les Wexner was testifying to Congress. His lawyer very bluntly told him not to answer any question with more than 5 words.
The real question becomes what does Fauci have to gain or lose by answering these questions. And that’s likely to be “nothing” and “everything”, respectively. He simply has nothing to gain by answering questions. He (and everyone else) does not believe the goal of these questions is to get to the truth. It’s to create a circus, and railroad him into a jail cell.
I wouldn’t take the bait, either.
It’s not just for citizens, it’s supposed to be a right that applies to everyone interacting with our government systems. You don’t have to say anything! But if you want to do anything requiring those services, like driver’s license, etc. then you have to give them some information.
I remember when our right wing wanted that information we give to be only available on a need to know basis! Why should the police need to know who I voted for or where I was born? But no more. Now these fuckwits want to suck on boot.
There is no way to know who you voted for unless you tell them.
It seems possible to have voter roles associated with driver’s licenses. I don’t know for sure but I feel like there has been lots of talk about having your voter registration tied to your driver’s license. If it hasn’t happened yet it’s definitely been floated as an idea.
What I do know is that there is a glaringly obvious trend towards authority figures wanting to control our lives to make sure we conform with their values and interests. It’s not happening exactly the same way everywhere but it is happening. I think it’d be foolish to believe that there isn’t interest in having a profile on every human in this country that is easily accessible by “law enforcement” or any other government agency.
And I can imagine the shit that would be put in such a profile, just listen to our political discourse for a day. Especially right wing discourse. They’ve decided who the enemies are, fortunately we don’t have to wear some kind of badge to announce it…yet.
It’s not worth saying anything that could turn into a Fox News clip or anything that will absolutely be used against him, no matter how much of a stretch it would be. He only gets negative points by entertaining a rigged show. Might as well frustrate them.
The reality is that basically nothing was known about the virus even in the middle of 2020, and I suspect from what I’ve seen of conservative slop that would be the point of their questioning. Using the current knowledge to point out how wrong a lot of the early information was.
Which is basically creationism arguments 101.
because, as Fauci notes, rand is unhinged. to wit:
Sen. Paul vows contempt vote after Fauci repeatedly invokes Fifth Amendment in Covid hearing
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/29/politics/anthony-fauci-fifth-amendment-plea
Does Rand actually think he can hold him in contempt for pleading the 5th? That’s hilarious.
He can refer him, but I doubt any sane court will uphold that referral
One of the big reasons is that GOP control congress atm. The jackasses who flouted their responsibilities and legal obligations to answer to congress (under this administration and Biden’s) have been republicans. They knew that Dems didn’t have the stomach and/or the numbers to prosecute them or hold them accountable for evading their responsibilities - so the repubs called to give evidence or testify in front of congress just did what they wanted with impunity.
Fauci is a persona non-grata with this administration and its party as a whole. Fauci knows he’ll be subjected to any and all prosecutorial avenues the GOP can utilise. I believe the thinking is this is the surest way to protect himself. His legal way to say nothing without lying, maintain his own ethics and morals, abide by the law and his obligations under it, and ensure he doesn’t give them one iota of ammo to use against him in future actions.
TL;DR: Fauci has integrity and believes in the rule of law.
