Rand Paul orders security to remove one of Anthony Fauci’s attorneys from hearing room after Fifth Amendment invocation

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, ordered security to remove one of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s attorneys from the committee hearing room on Wednesday, according to The Hill. The dispute occurred during the hearing when Fauci’s attorney attempted to speak multiple times but was not recognized by Paul, the outlet reported.

The Hill reported that Paul directed staff and security to carry out the removal after the longtime infectious disease expert invoked the Fifth Amendment. In that moment, Fauci’s attorney sought to address the committee, but Paul maintained control of the hearing process and did not permit the attorney to take the floor.

The episode reflected a procedural clash between an asserted constitutional right and the committee chair’s authority over who is recognized during a hearing. Paul’s role as chair includes setting the hearing flow, determining which individuals may speak, and maintaining decorum and order in the room, according to standard Senate committee practice.

The Hill also reported that the attorney attempted to speak several times during the exchange. Paul would not officially recognize the attorney, and security was brought in to remove him from the hearing room. The outlet did not attribute additional legal or disciplinary actions beyond the removal during the session.

Wednesday’s hearing was part of the Senate’s continuing scrutiny of the federal public health apparatus and the record of federal officials during the COVID-19 era, though The Hill’s report here focuses on the in-room procedural incident rather than on specific claims made during questioning.

Following the removal, the committee’s hearing activities continued without the attorney present, the report indicated. The underlying constitutional issue raised in the moment was the Fifth Amendment, which applies to compelled testimony and is commonly invoked when a witness or representative seeks to avoid answering questions that could be self-incriminating.

The Hill’s report did not specify whether Fauci himself remained a witness during the exchange or whether any formal referral, contempt effort, or additional hearing procedure followed the incident. Committee chairs typically have discretion to manage testimony, but any further steps would require separate action on the record.