Story perspectives

AG Uthmeier opens Fauci contempt probe; 100 Fifths invoked

7/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) launched an investigation of NIH director Dr. Anthony Fauci, noting Governor Ron DeSantis (R) says President Biden’s Jan. 1 2014-Jan. 19 2025 pardon does not shield him.
Dr. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right 100 times at a Senate Homeland Security hearing chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
The panel will vote on contempt Aug. 5, giving Attorney General Uthmeier a “mountain of evidence” from Fauci’s diary provided by Paul.

History

Historical Context

Watergate began with the June 17, 1972 break-in at the DNC headquarters and led the Senate, chaired by Sam Ervin, to issue subpoenas for White House tapes—42 conversations were ordered and the Supreme Court forced release in an 8-0 decision on July 24, 1974. Today Attorney General James Uthmeier’s probe of NIH director Anthony Fauci, who has invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly, echoes that historic congressional effort to curb executive secrecy.

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Story summary

Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) launched an investigation of NIH director Dr. Anthony Fauci, noting Governor Ron DeSantis (R) says President Biden’s Jan. 1 2014-Jan. 19 2025 pardon does not shield him.
Dr. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right 100 times at a Senate Homeland Security hearing chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
The panel will vote on contempt Aug. 5, giving Attorney General Uthmeier a “mountain of evidence” from Fauci’s diary provided by Paul.

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