PolitiFact is reporting that Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during a contentious July 29, 2026, hearing with the Senate Homeland Security Committee. It said Fauci stated his decision was driven by concerns that Chairman Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would twist his answers to aid in his prosecution.
Paul reiterated his claim that Fauci oversaw U.S. funding for Chinese research that caused the COVID-19 pandemic and lied to Congress, an assertion Fauci disputes. PolitiFact noted Paul had released Fauci's unredacted personal diary prior to the hearing, which Fauci described as an attempt to embarrass and intimidate him. Legal experts told PolitiFact that President Joe Biden's preemptive pardon of Fauci, issued before leaving office, likely only covers actions before Jan. 19, 2025, meaning alleged perjury at the hearing would not be covered. Experts like Michael J. Gerhardt and Tracey Maclin advised that invoking the Fifth Amendment was a safer legal option for Fauci, despite potential public relations fallout, to avoid perjury charges. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a Republican, criticized Fauci's "lack of candor" and announced an investigation.
In other news, PolitiFact is reporting on a contentious Michigan Democratic Senate debate before the Aug. 4 primary, focusing on campaign finance. It said U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens denied taking donations from DTE Energy and Consumers Energy when asked by moderator Roop Raj. Abdul El-Sayed, her opponent, challenged her, citing $40,000 directly to her campaign from DTE. PolitiFact found that Federal Election Commission records show two $2,500 donations in March 2025 from corporate political action committees affiliated with DTE Energy and Consumers Energy to Stevens' House campaign committee, which she then transferred to her Senate committee. It clarified that corporate PACs are funded by employee donations, not the corporations themselves. PolitiFact also noted El-Sayed's $40,000 figure conflated donations over seven years to Stevens' House campaign and leadership PAC, not solely her current Senate campaign. PolitiFact rated Stevens' statement "Mostly False" due to omitted details.