Dr. Anthony Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment During Senate COVID-19 Hearing

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Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer questions during a Senate hearing Wednesday, July 29, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination as lawmakers revisited his role in the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci, the former longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after being subpoenaed by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Fauci said he was following the advice of his attorney, arguing that Paul’s repeated calls for his prosecution created concerns that his testimony could be used against him.

The hearing comes amid renewed scrutiny surrounding Fauci following the release of hundreds of pages from his personal journals written during the pandemic. Critics have pointed to entries they say raise questions about Fauci’s public statements and views surrounding the origins of COVID-19 and the government’s pandemic response.

Paul and Fauci have clashed publicly for years over COVID-19, federal funding of virus research and whether Fauci was fully transparent with Congress. Fauci has rejected accusations that he intentionally misled lawmakers.

The latest hearing is expected to add another chapter to the ongoing political debate surrounding the U.S. response to the pandemic, the origins of COVID-19 and accountability among federal public health officials.

(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers Face Tough Offensive Line Decision Following Victory Over Eagles

The Carolina Panthers are facing an important decision involving their offensive line after a strong performance in Sunday’s 25–14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Dave Canales must determine how to manage multiple starting-caliber offensive tackles following the successful return of veteran Taylor Moton. Moton, who missed significant time while recovering from a medical condition involving blood clots, returned to action against Philadelphia and played every offensive snap. His performance provided stability to an offensive line that has dealt with injuries and lineup adjustments throughout the season. The Panthers also received an encouraging performance from left tackle Rasheed Walker, who delivered what Canales described as his strongest game of the season. Meanwhile, rookie Monroe Freeling, Carolina’s first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, is continuing to recover from a knee injury. Freeling had previously stepped into a starting role while Moton was unavailable, creating a challenging situation for the coaching staff as the rookie approaches a return. The Panthers now have several options when determining which players will start and how the team will develop its younger talent. The decision could have a significant impact on quarterback Bryce Young, who benefits from consistent protection and a dependable running game. Against Philadelphia, Carolina’s offensive line helped create opportunities for running back Chuba Hubbard, who finished with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown. As the Panthers continue their season, establishing a dependable offensive line will remain a priority. For Canales, having multiple capable players available is a positive development, but determining the best combination could be one of the coaching staff’s most important upcoming decisions. Source: Carolina Panthers official reporting, October 19. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)