Donald Trump denies discussing potential prosecution of Anthony Fauci

President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he has not discussed the potential prosecution of Dr. Anthony Fauci with Attorney General Todd Blanche or U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro.

The matter follows a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee vote to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he declined to answer subpoenaed questions regarding his management of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a July 29 hearing, Fauci reportedly invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 100 times.

Committee Chairman Senator Rand Paul has formally referred the contempt citation to the Justice Department and Pirro’s office for possible prosecution. The Justice Department has acknowledged receipt of the referral and is currently reviewing the case. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for several decades, retired in 2022 and received a preemptive presidential pardon from Joe Biden in January 2025.