Senate Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt Because Why Not Add More Drama?

KEY POINTS

•On July 29, Sen. Rand Paul announced plans to refer the contempt resolution against Anthony Fauci to the Justice Department despite Biden's prior pardon.
•The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-5 to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer questions about COVID-19 origins.
•Sen. Ron Johnson revealed the committee obtained Fauci's pandemic-era phone, possibly unearthing more details about government-funded research in China.

On a plot twist Thursday, the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-5 to hold 85-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci—yes, the nation’s former top infectious disease guru—in contempt for politely declining to answer questions about COVID-19 origins. Apparently, this contempt vote arrives even though Joe Biden had preemptively pardoned Fauci pre-leaving office, making Sen. Rand Paul’s mission to send Fauci to DOJ like ordering a pizza after you already ate. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson secured Fauci’s pandemic phone, promising a potential text message flood rivaling your most embarrassing group chat. Republicans claim 'gain of function' and lab leaks, Democrats cry political witch hunt, and Steve Bannon urges a science-hating political rally. Fauci called Paul ‘unhinged’—which may just be the understatement of 2026.