RSC Members Slam Fauci for Hiding Behind the Fifth Instead of Admitting the Truth

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following Dr. Anthony Fauci’s appearance in front of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Accountability, Members of the Republican Study Committee are demanding accountability for years of secrecy, failed leadership, and government overreach that harmed millions of Americans.

During today’s hearing, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times, refusing to answer for the decisions that shaped America’s COVID-19 pandemic response. His stonewalling exposed a disturbing double standard: one set of rules for the American people and another for unelected bureaucrats who imposed them. His decisions devastated small businesses, disrupted livelihoods, and kept children out of classrooms.  

Fauci also knowingly funded viral research in China and trusted foreign labs with dangerous experiments that were not held to the same safety standards we have in America. The American people deserve answers from officials who failed them, and those responsible must be held accountable.

Here’s what RSC Members are saying immediately following Dr. Fauci’s hearing:

“Dr. Fauci spent years demanding the American people trust him. Now, when given the opportunity to answer legitimate questions from Congress about his failed leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times. Today’s hearing proved what the American people already knew: Fauci is a fraud. The American people are entitled to the truth, and Congress will continue to uncover Fauci’s lies,”  said Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13).

“Fauci lied to the country for years. He knows it, America knows it, and now he's taking the Fifth,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04), Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary.

“Dr. Fauci used his authority to justify draconian lockdowns and mandates, yet he never told the American people the full story. Today, given the chance to finally answer for it, he pleaded the Fifth instead. Americans and Congress are simply asking for transparency, and it is extremely disappointing that he won't provide it. Why is he not being honest with the American people? He chose to hide rather than own up to it,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).

“Dr. ‘Mengele’ Fauci may be protected by a federal pardon but that does not hold against state prosecution and civil lawsuits. I am calling on the great Attorneys General and Governors of FL, TX, WV, and AR to bring charges against Fauci for crimes against children in exposing them to a vaccine that has now been PROVEN to hurt people. He is and will go down in history as one of the darkest souls who has ever been in federal government. There is NO JUSTICE unless he is held responsible for the crimes HE committed against HUMANITY,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13).

“Anthony Fauci had every opportunity to clear his name today. Instead, even after receiving a phony presidential pardon, he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times rather than answer for the decisions that reshaped America. The American people deserve the truth, and they deserve accountability — not silence,” said Rep. Randy Fine (FL-06).

“As a physician I continually encouraged my constituents to consult with their doctor to make medical decisions based in science and in their best interest—to Tony Fauci anything short of complete compliance to his rules was considered sedition. Fauci’s refusal to answer direct questioning coupled with Biden’s preemptive pardon makes one thing clear: Fauci has no desire to finally give our citizens the truth. The only way he can be arrested now is if he lies, therefore he will not speak. He will not answer for tanking our economy, setting childhood development back, and disrupting our very livelihood,” said Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN-04).

“Anthony Fauci's own diary exposes him for exactly what he is: a man more obsessed with becoming a star than with telling the American people the truth. While families were burying loved ones and closing their businesses, Fauci was hiding the truth and privately gushing about his own fame. Today, under subpoena and sworn oath before the Senate, he had every chance to finally come clean. Instead, America watched him plead the Fifth more than a hundred times rather than answer for it. That's not a scientist. That's a fraud who got caught,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01).

“Despite having received a full, unconditional, preemptive pardon from President Biden, Dr. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times to evade lawmaker questions. While he could have used the opportunity today to be truthful and upfront with the American people, he instead refused to address legitimate concerns. Unless Dr. Fauci believes his pardon was invalid due to the possible use of the autopen in granting it, he should not have invoked the Fifth Amendment in refusing to testify. Nonetheless, Dr. Fauci’s actions at the National Institutes of Health will continue to motivate policy reforms, including my bills, the NIH Reform Act, the Risky Research Review Act and the Royalty Transparency Act,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09).

“Perhaps it should come as no surprise that today Dr. Fauci appeared before Congress and refused to answer a single question. A man unwilling to be honest with the American people during the pandemic was not going to start today. His silence continues to be a loud witness of his inability to show any remorse for the part he played during COVID.” said Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27).