00:00It was the moment everyone on Capitol Hill in the country had been waiting for, but it was over almost
00:05as soon as it began.
00:06Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday to field questions about how he handled the
00:12COVID pandemic.
00:13What did Fauci say, you ask? Not much, my friends.
00:17He invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times, refusing to answer questions about his handling of the pandemic, gain-of
00:23-function research, allegations that federal records were destroyed, even questions about the days of the week or the color of
00:29his tie.
00:30Those got the Plead the Fifth treatment, too.
00:32Fauci said Senator Rand Paul's whole goal for this hearing was to put him behind bars, and so his attorney
00:38advised him to remain silent, despite receiving a sweeping pardon from former President Joe Biden.
00:43And silent, he remained. Here's some of his back and forth with Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri.
00:49What day of the week is it today?
00:54On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the
01:01Constitution.
01:01What color tie are you wearing?
01:04On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the
01:10Constitution.
01:11What color is the carpet in front of you?
01:16On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the
01:22Constitution.
01:23And here's Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio after retelling the story of a woman removed from a high school
01:29football game for not wearing a mask during the COVID outbreak.
01:32When that story broke, I said to myself, I cannot stand idly on the side and watch this happen.
01:42It was about six years ago today that I decided I'm going to give up my businesses, sell them all,
01:50run for office, run through the United States Senate.
01:52Here I am sitting in front of you six years later saying, who the do you think you were for
01:57doing that?
02:00It is a total disgrace what you did to this country.
02:04The hearing grew even more dramatic when Fauci's attorney was escorted out of the room after repeatedly interrupting the proceedings.
02:11While Republican senators went after the former COVID czar over everything from lab leak questions to lockdowns, mask mandates and
02:19vaccine policies.
02:20By the end of the hearing, Senator Rand Paul announced the committee will vote next week on whether to hold
02:25Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions despite the Biden pardon.
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