Dr Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during a heated congressional hearing into the origins and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The former US chief medical adviser grew visibly frustrated with Republican lawmakers, accusing them of an "unhinged obsession" with him personally rather than genuine scrutiny of pandemic policy, in an exchange that underscores the continuing political battle over accountability for America's pandemic response.

Senator Rand Paul was among the Republicans pressing Fauci on issues including the origins of COVID-19, mask mandates and other public health decisions made during his tenure as a top government scientist. Fauci's repeated refusal to answer on Fifth Amendment grounds marked a striking moment in the hearing, with tempers flaring on both sides as questioning grew increasingly fiery.