the law to obstruct an investigation of congress. There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today.  Editor's picks

Sen. Rand Paul threatens Dr. Fauci:  There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today.  pic.twitter.com/32yn0fwr3u - nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) July 29, 2026

Fauci has long been a target of not just Paul, but Donald Trump and much of the Republican right, who continue to espouse theories about Covid-19 - from claims that Fauci himself funded the development of the disease to accusations that he is personally responsible for the deaths of millions and the censorship of pandemic-era disinformation about the virus.

The president has long been calling for Fauci and other Biden-era officials to be investigated or prosecuted, and revoked security details for many of his perceived political enemies upon retaking the White House.

On Wednesday morning, just before the hearing, Trump attempted to shrug off his own role in the pandemic response, writing on Truth Social that  many more people died of Covid under the Biden Administration than under the Trump Administration. 

 I Inherited Fauci, who was there since the 1980's, but with each passing day, relied less and less on him. He made too many bad calls, like on MASKS […] In any event I didn't let him shut the Country down, although he wanted to. I went the Federalist way, and let the governors decide. The Republican governors did a much better job than the Dumocrats,  Trump wrote.  Biden went on to give Fauci vast destructive power. The rest is history! 

In 2025, as he prepared to leave office, former President Joe Biden issued a blanket pardon to Fauci and other public officials who were in the crosshairs of the incoming Trump administration.  The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,  the former president wrote.  Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.  Trending Stories Glen Hansard, Oscar-Winning 'Once' Musician, Dead at 56 Bernie Taupin Has Been Writing for Elton John for Six Decades. He's Finally Releasing a New Solo Album Trump Can't Help Taking a Snooze at Lindsey Graham's Funeral Steve Lacy Spoils  Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' Faces Nerd Crash-Outs

 These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,  Biden added.  Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. 

The pardon, so far, has protected Fauci from any abuses of the Justice Department under Trump, but it can do nothing to stop Republicans from hauling him before Congress.