re: Fauci Hearing Live;

quote:

---

Can someone plead the fifth under a pardon?

---

Gouveia just mentioned that. Sounds like he had the same concern.

He won't answer shite this guy.

Everyone knew what that SOB was going to do.
What a miserable piece of shite!

@Grok

Can Fauci plead the fifth amendment under a presidential pardon?

quote:

---

No, generally not for the federal offenses covered by the pardon. A full presidential pardon for federal crimes removes the risk of federal prosecution for those offenses, which means the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination no longer applies to questions about them.

constitutioncenter.org

Key Legal Principles

Supreme Court precedent (Brown v. Walker, 1896): Once pardoned, a person "stands with respect to such offense as if it had never been committed" and cannot invoke the Fifth to avoid testifying about it, because there's no longer a realistic fear of federal criminal jeopardy.

constitutioncenter.org

This has been echoed in later cases and analyses (e.g., for pardoned figures like Hunter Biden). Accepting the pardon eliminates the federal self-incrimination shield for covered acts.

reason.com

Fauci's Specific Situation President Biden issued Fauci a preemptive, full and unconditional pardon in January 2025 for any federal offenses from January 1, 2014, through the pardon date, related to his roles in NIAID, the Coronavirus Task Force/Response Team, or as Chief Medical Advisor.

en.wikisource.org

Fauci accepted it (he publicly appreciated the action).

science.org

In a July 2026 Senate hearing (involving Sen. Rand Paul), Fauci invoked the Fifth anyway, citing advice of counsel and concerns over the proceedings.

statnews.com

Legally, for matters squarely within the pardon’s scope (federal offenses tied to his official COVID/NIAID work), he should not be able to successfully plead the Fifth, as the pardon removes federal jeopardy. A court or Congress could potentially compel testimony (with contempt risks for refusal).

@RCPolitics

Important Limitations and Exceptions

State crimes: A federal pardon does not cover state prosecutions. If testimony could expose him to state-level charges (where statutes of limitations haven't run), he could still invoke the Fifth.

cowboystatedaily.com

Conduct outside the pardon: Anything not covered (e.g., unrelated acts or new perjury/false statements during testimony) remains unprotected.

Refusing the pardon: Under Burdick v. United States (1915), someone can reject a pardon to preserve Fifth Amendment rights (acceptance can imply guilt, though Biden's statement tried to clarify it didn't). Fauci didn't refuse.

politifact.com

In practice, witnesses sometimes invoke the Fifth cautiously or strategically even post-pardon, forcing courts to rule on the scope. But on core federal matters covered by Fauci's pardon, the privilege is extinguished. This aligns with how pardons work for others in similar high-profile contexts.

---

quote:

---

As I understand it, no....

---

There are 50 jurisdictions where he's not pardoned

quote:

---

Going back to the Pardon. I thought this came up in earlier hearings that if someone is exempt from any crimes due to pardon, they cannot plead the 5th and can be compelled to answer. If not, held in contempt?

---

I'm genuinely asking, not being sarcastic. Why would a pardon nullify your constitutional rights?

I'm no fan of Fauci. It would bring me immense joy to see that weasel pay for the crimes he's committed, but this is all just a show. With a Presidential pardon, this is all a waste of time and only makes our government look like a joke.

quote:

---

There are 50 jurisdictions where he's not pardoned

---

Great! Then, have him arrested and charge him for his crimes. What will they charge him with?

The staffer behind Paul is breathtaking

Paul looking like a bitch... "you are not recognized" x30



Remove him you soft arse bitch

quote:

---

No idea but why bring in a guy if you know he’s going to plead the 5th

---

Because now Rand has control of the narrative. He will rightfully ask all his questions.

quote:

---

make you look stupid?

---

Fauci is the one that looks like a guilty scumbag here.

quote:

---

Paul looking like a bitch... "you are not recognized" x30

---

This was always a dumb idea. I can't believe Rand was dumb enough to do this