Former COVID czar Dr. Anthony Fauci pleaded The Fifth 111 times at Wednesday’s Congressional hearing – but, that’s not what promised to do when the prospect of oversight of his handling of the epidemic first surfaced.
At Wednesday’s Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs hearing, the former face and head of the federal government’s response to the deadly COVID-19 epidemic refused to answer even a single question about his past actions, claims and health-safety recommendations.
But, as he was leaving office in late 2022, Fauci repeatedly and unequivocally proclaimed that he would welcome any congressional inquiry because he had nothing to hide.
“If there are oversight hearings, I absolutely will cooperate fully and testify before the Congress, if asked,” Fauci promised in a White House press conference:
“We can defend and explain and stand by everything that we say. So, I have nothing to hide.”
“I absolutely will cooperate fully and testify before the Congress… I have nothing to hide.”
What changed? pic.twitter.com/bs7HcYcH6Y— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) July 29, 2026
Fauci made a similar claim in an interview with CNN, adding that he would testify even if the proceedings were hostile:
“I am very happy to testify before any congressional oversight committee. I have nothing to hide. I can explain and validate everything that I’ve done.”
….
“So, you know, it’s going to be inconvenient if they actually are out there, essentially threatening to make my life miserable, but I’m going to do what I need to do, and that is cooperate fully, because we have nothing to hide at all.”
Fauci in 2022: “I am very happy to testify before any congressional oversight committee.
I have nothing to hide. I can explain and validate everything that I’ve done.
I’m going to do what I need to do, and that is cooperate fully, because we have nothing to hide at all.” pic.twitter.com/vRYKHnLkPr— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) July 29, 2026
“I believe oversight is a very important part of government structure and I welcome it and it can be productive,” Fauci declared in another interview:
“So, sure, I would be happy to cooperate, so long as we make it something that is a dignified oversight, which it should be, and not just bringing up ridiculous things and attacking my character.”
THEN: “I welcome oversight… I would be happy to cooperate.”
NOW: Fauci pleaded the Fifth more than 100 times under congressional questioning. pic.twitter.com/9zYGJIgWfQ— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) July 29, 2026
Ironically, while Fauci refused to answer any and all questions at Wednesday’s hearing - even about the color of his tie - he previously touted the importance of providing “correct information” in order to dispel false claims.
“The way you counter misinformation and disinformation is to do whatever you can as often as you can to provide correct information,” Fauci said in his last White House press briefing.
