Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci’s frequent use of the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, July 30th, 2026.

When asked by a reporter if Marcus Epps had the inside track on the starting safety job, Fangio replied, “I’m gonna be like Fauci and just take the Fifth Amendment on all questions,” adding with a grin, “Did you guys see that? Oh my god.”

Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee the same day, pleading the Fifth Amendment 111 times amid Republican criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats on the panel largely defended Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and criticized the hearing as overtly partisan.

Rand Paul (R-Ky.), chair of the committee, said he plans to push for a vote next week to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress. Paul referenced a preemptive pardon Fauci received from former President Biden in January 2025, stating, “We believe that with his … immunity from criminal liability, that he didn’t need to hide behind the Fifth Amendment and that maybe the Fifth Amendment doesn’t attach when you have a pardon in place.”

Later in a press conference, Fangio again joked about Fauci when discussing questions posed to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman about player Brandon Graham’s potential return. Fangio quipped, “And what he’d say? He ducked you? He Faucied you?” drawing laughter from reporters.

Sources