Fauci refused to answer the U.S. Senate about the origin of COVID-19

Anthony Fauci, the former head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), took advantage of the fifth Amendment to the American Constitution and refused to answer questions from the Senate committee on the origin of the coronavirus. This was announced on July 29 by the BBC television channel.

"On the advice of my lawyers, I will exercise my right under the Fifth Amendment to the constitution and refrain from answering your questions," Fauci said.

The refusal came after Republican Senator Rand Paul released the official's personal diaries. The politician insisted that the private recordings contradicted the doctor's statements about the natural nature of the virus.

The infectious disease specialist emphasized that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he allowed both options, including leakage from the laboratory. Later, the expert leaned towards the version of an interspecific leap. At the same time, Paul continued to promote the theory of the artificial origin of the disease.

According to the TV channel, the meeting was tense. When one of Fauci's lawyers tried to interfere in the dialogue, the senator instructed the guards to take the lawyer out of the courtroom. Supporters of the Democratic Party defended the infectious disease specialist, calling the hearings an attempt to trap him.

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Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said before leaving office on June 19 that she had published documents revealing Fauci's actions related to financing research at a laboratory in Wuhan, China, with money from the country's budget. According to her, Fauci interacted with politicized elements within the intelligence community to conceal information about his actions and possible laboratory leaks.