The US Senate has declared Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and key figure in the US COVID-19 response, in contempt of Congress. This decision follows Fauci’s refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by a House subcommittee investigating the origins of the virus and the government’s pandemic response. Reports indicate Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during testimony. Republicans leading the investigation accused Fauci of obstructing the inquiry and concealing crucial information. Democrats criticized the move as a politically motivated attack. The contempt citation sets the stage for a potential legal battle and further intensifies the political divisions surrounding the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This action could lead to criminal charges, though that is not guaranteed.