July 1, 2025 – In a stunning development, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has announced plans to subpoena Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), to testify under oath about his role in the COVID-19 pandemic. This move comes amid allegations that Fauci misled Congress regarding U.S.-funded gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China. With a preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden in January 2025, Fauci cannot invoke his Fifth Amendment rights, raising the stakes for potential perjury charges if he lies under oath.

Key Details of the Subpoena

Sen. Paul, a vocal critic of Fauci, revealed his intent to subpoena the former health official on X, stating, “I referred Dr. Fauci for prosecution under both Presidents Biden and Trump, and now I’m gearing up to subpoena him to testify under oath in front of Congress. Stay tuned…”. The subpoenas, issued on January 13, 2025, target 14 federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to investigate their involvement in risky gain-of-function research, which Paul claims may have contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Fauci’s testimony is expected to focus on:

• Gain-of-Function Research: Allegations that NIH-funded experiments at the Wuhan Institute of Virology involved gain-of-function research, which enhances a virus’s transmissibility or virulence, despite Fauci’s 2021 testimony denying such funding.
• COVID-19 Origins: Documents uncovered by Paul suggest Fauci was aware of risky research proposals, including the DEFUSE project, which proposed creating a chimeric virus similar to SARS-CoV-2.
• Alleged Misleading Testimony: Paul has accused Fauci of lying to Congress, citing a 2020 email where Fauci discussed concerns about lab-manipulated viruses, contradicting his public statements.

Why Fauci Can’t Plead the Fifth

President Biden’s preemptive pardon, issued on January 19, 2025, protects Fauci from prosecution for actions from 2014 to the pardon date, covering his tenure at NIAID. Legal experts note that accepting a pardon waives Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination, meaning Fauci must answer questions under oath or risk perjury charges. University of Baltimore law professor Kimberly Wehle told Newsweek, “The pardons do not impact the Fifth Amendment right unless they are accepted… Fauci can’t invoke his Fifth Amendment right and must answer questions”.

Fauci’s Response and Controversy

Fauci, who retired in 2022 after leading NIAID for 38 years, has maintained he “has done nothing wrong” and denies any criminal conduct. In a statement following the pardon, he expressed gratitude to Biden but insisted there were “no possible grounds” for prosecution. However, critics, including Paul, argue that Fauci’s testimony was misleading, particularly regarding NIH’s funding of EcoHealth Alliance, which conducted bat coronavirus research in Wuhan.

A 520-page House Select Subcommittee report concluded that Fauci’s statements were “at a minimum, misleading,” highlighting discrepancies between his testimony and NIH’s definition of gain-of-function research. Former Acting NIH Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak contradicted Fauci, confirming NIH funded such research in Wuhan.

What’s at Stake?

If Fauci testifies and is found to have lied under oath, he could face perjury charges, a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Paul’s investigation aims to “critique the process that allowed this dangerous research” and ensure oversight to prevent future pandemics. The controversy has reignited debates over COVID-19’s origins, with the FBI, CIA, and Department of Energy supporting the lab-leak theory, while others, including Fauci, have favored a natural origin.

Public and Political Reaction

The announcement has sparked intense reactions on X, with posts claiming “Fauci is SWEATING” and predicting accountability for alleged cover-ups. Supporters of Fauci, like Dr. Ashish Jha, argue he’s been unfairly targeted, emphasizing the need for transparency from China rather than U.S. investigations. Meanwhile, Paul’s push for accountability resonates with those questioning the government’s pandemic response, with one X user stating, “MAHA is firing on all cylinders… Senator Rand Paul REFUSES to give up on prosecuting Dr. Fauci”.

What’s Next?

As Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Paul’s subpoena power strengthens his ability to compel testimony. The investigation will likely probe Fauci’s knowledge of the DEFUSE project and NIH’s oversight failures. With EcoHealth Alliance and its president, Dr. Peter Daszak, already barred from federal funding for five years due to violations, the focus on Fauci intensifies.

Stay tuned to NRIGlobe.com for updates on this developing story as Sen. Rand Paul’s investigation unfolds and Dr. Fauci faces potential testimony under oath.

Keywords: Sen. Rand Paul, Dr. Anthony Fauci, COVID-19 origins, gain-of-function research, Biden pardon, perjury charges, Wuhan lab, NIH funding, Senate subpoena, coronavirus investigation

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