A key investigative panel in the U.S. Senate has obtained a copy of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s iPhone used during his tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The phone was transferred to the Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Senator Ron Johnson.

This development comes as the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee prepares to vote on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress. The move follows a contentious hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic response, during which Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than one hundred times.

Fauci, the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and medical advisor to several U.S. presidents, testified under subpoena about his role in the national COVID-19 response. He stated, "Although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government, and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions."

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has demanded accountability and vowed that Fauci would face consequences for declining to comment. Paul also questioned whether a pardon from former President Joe Biden could protect Fauci.

Additionally, testimony continues in related investigations, including that of Fagan following the resignation of Shannon Norenberg, the Coast Guard Academy's sexual assault response coordinator, who alleged misconduct during a coverup of a report known as "Operation Fouled Anchor."

Sources

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