The Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has obtained Dr. Anthony Fauci's cellphone used during his tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The transfer of the device was confirmed by a spokesperson for Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who chairs the subcommittee. It remains unclear whether the panel has access to the phone's contents.
This development comes as the committee prepares to decide on holding Fauci in contempt of Congress, following the recent release of over 1,000 pages of Fauci's personal diary to the panel. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning, where Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., has subpoenaed Fauci to testify regarding his alleged involvement in funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China.
A source close to Paul's office indicated that he is also in possession of the cellphone. During last week's testimony, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions, expressing concerns about self-incrimination. He stated, "Although it pains me to do so... I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions."
The hearing has seen Republicans questioning Fauci about various topics, including the origins of the COVID-19 virus, while Democrats defended his decision to plead the Fifth Amendment. Paul has indicated that there may be legal implications regarding Fauci's refusal to answer questions and whether a presidential pardon could provide him immunity.