Watch: Capitol Police Escort Fauci Attorney Out of Contentious Senate Hearing

Capitol Police removed Dr. Anthony Fauci’s attorney from a heated Senate hearing Wednesday after Sen. Rand Paul accused the lawyer of repeatedly interrupting the proceedings and refusing to follow the committee chairman’s instructions.

The confrontation unfolded during a nearly four-hour hearing before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, where Fauci reportedly invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times while declining to answer lawmakers’ questions.

Paul warned that Fauci’s refusal to cooperate could prompt Congress to pursue contempt proceedings.

Attorney Removed After Repeated Interruptions

Defense attorney David Schertler sat beside Fauci throughout the hearing and repeatedly attempted to intervene as Paul pressed the former federal health official for answers.

Paul informed Schertler several times that attorneys were not permitted to address the committee from the witness table. He also instructed the lawyer to move behind Fauci and allow the questioning to continue.

When Schertler continued speaking, Paul directed Capitol Police to escort him from the room.

“Security, please remove him from the room,” the Kentucky Republican declared.

Video of the confrontation was shared by C-SPAN:

Paul Demands Respect for Senate Proceedings

Paul accused Schertler of disregarding the committee’s rules and repeatedly ignoring instructions from the chairman.

“You will respect these proceedings,” Paul told him.

The senator characterized the attorney’s conduct as disruptive and argued that similar behavior in a courtroom could result in sanctions or removal.

Sen. Gary Peters asked Paul to allow Schertler to explain his actions before being escorted out. Paul declined, noting that Fauci still had roughly half a dozen other attorneys present at the hearing.

The exchange added another layer of tension to proceedings already dominated by Fauci’s refusal to answer questions about his government service and decisions connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden Pardon Raises Fifth Amendment Questions

Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden issued Fauci a broad preemptive pardon covering potential offenses connected to his federal government service during a designated period.

Paul argued that the pardon eliminated the possibility of federal prosecution for conduct covered by its terms. On that basis, he questioned whether Fauci could legitimately continue invoking the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying.

Fauci’s attorneys disputed that interpretation and maintained that their client remained entitled to invoke his constitutional right against self-incrimination.

The disagreement highlighted a significant legal and constitutional dispute: whether an individual protected by a sweeping presidential pardon can still refuse to answer congressional questions about the pardoned conduct.

Senate Panel to Consider Contempt Resolution

Paul warned Fauci that defying the committee’s instructions could lead to formal consequences.

“The committee will have to consider after this hearing what appropriate action should be taken against you,” he said.

Paul announced that the committee would vote on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.

A contempt resolution approved by the committee would still need to pass the full Senate. The matter could then be referred to the Justice Department, which would determine whether criminal prosecution was warranted.

The process could place President Donald J. Trump’s Justice Department at the center of a politically charged dispute involving congressional oversight, executive pardons and accountability for decisions made during the pandemic.

Schertler Calls Removal “Outrageous”

After being escorted from the hearing room, Schertler condemned Paul’s decision.

He called the ejection “outrageous.”

Schertler also claimed the incident demonstrated that the hearing was politically biased and lacked a legitimate foundation.

The prominent defense lawyer previously represented former Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife during their federal bribery case. He also represented former Biden physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor during congressional questioning in 2025.

For Republicans seeking answers about the federal government’s handling of COVID-19, the hearing underscored a broader question of accountability. Fauci’s repeated reliance on the Fifth Amendment, combined with Biden’s preemptive pardon and his attorney’s removal, ensured that the controversy surrounding pandemic-era decision-making is far from over.