Dr. Anthony Fauci faced significant scrutiny following a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Wednesday, during which he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times in response to questions about his role in the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing, called by Senate Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), focused on allegations that Fauci misrepresented the origins of the virus and other aspects of pandemic management.

The 85-year-old former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) retired in December 2022 after nearly four decades at the agency. Fauci, who had been the highest-paid federal employee with an annual salary of $481,000 in his final year, now serves as a distinguished professor at Georgetown University’s School of Medicine. He and his wife, Christine Grady, a former NIH chief bioethicist, reside in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Paul, who has previously sought criminal referrals to prosecute Fauci under the Biden and Trump administrations, indicated after the hearing that he plans to pursue contempt of Congress charges due to Fauci’s refusal to answer questions. Contempt of Congress is a misdemeanor carrying possible penalties of up to 12 months in prison and a $100,000 fine but requires approval by the committee and the full Senate.

Paul described plans to expedite the contempt process, noting that such motions typically proceed from committee to the Senate floor but do not necessarily have to follow that sequence. His efforts reflect ongoing tension between Fauci and some members of the Senate, with Paul accusing Fauci of withholding information related to the pandemic’s origins and response.

Following the hearing, Fauci was seen receiving a bouquet with a supportive note outside his home. He appeared visibly frustrated with the attention during a walk with his wife in their neighborhood. Representatives for Fauci and the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the potential contempt proceedings.