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NewsWFLA News TampaAugust 9, 2026Hillsborough

Senate Committee approves criminal contempt referral for Dr. Anthony Fauci

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has voted to refer former COVID-19 advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci for criminal contempt of Congress. The referral follows Fauci's invocation of his Fifth Amendment rights 111 times during testimony before the committee.

congressional oversightcriminal justicecovid-19legal procedure
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Why It Matters

This referral forces the Department of Justice to decide whether to pursue criminal charges against a former high-ranking federal official, a process that involves complex legal and political considerations.

Key Facts

  • The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a criminal contempt referral for Dr. Anthony Fauci.
  • The referral is based on Fauci invoking his Fifth Amendment rights 111 times during committee testimony.
  • The Department of Justice now holds the authority to decide whether to pursue criminal charges based on this referral.
  • The committee vote occurred on Thursday.

Who's Mentioned

personBarbara McQuade“Former U.S. attorney.”personDavid Schertler“Attorney for Dr. Anthony Fauci.”personAnthony Fauci“Former COVID czar and subject of the contempt referral.”other23“Number of grand jurors in a typical D.C. panel.”personDonald Trump“Current President whose administration would oversee any potential DOJ prosecuti”personJoe Biden“Former President who issued a pardon to Dr. Fauci.”organizationSenate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee“The committee that voted to approve the criminal referral”personMolly Gaston“Former federal prosecutor.”personRand Paul“Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.”personMark Osler“Former federal prosecutor and law professor.”organizationDepartment of Justice“The federal agency tasked with deciding whether to prosecute the referral”personAmanda Vaughn“Former Justice Department attorney.”personSteve Bannon“Former White House aide previously prosecuted for contempt of Congress.”other111“Number of times Dr. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment.”