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Why It Matters
A Senate committee’s decision to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress marks an escalation in the legislative branch’s oversight of the federal government’s pandemic response. The referral to the Justice Department could result in criminal charges against the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, underscoring renewed Republican scrutiny of how federal health officials managed COVID-19.
What Happened
The Senate committee voted Thursday to hold Fauci in contempt and referred the case to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution. The action stems from Fauci’s appearance at a hearing the previous week, where he repeatedly declined to answer questions about his role in pandemic management.
Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during the committee hearing, effectively blocking lawmakers from obtaining testimony on the matters under investigation. The committee’s vote reflects Republican lawmakers’ determination to obtain answers about decisions made during the health crisis.
McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and former Senate leader, remained hospitalized Thursday after suffering a fall on June 14. The hospitalization has sidelined him from Senate business, prompting calls from Democratic Governor Andy Beshear last week for McConnell to either demonstrate his fitness to serve or step aside. McConnell said he would continue physical therapy at home and remain engaged with staff and colleagues on Senate matters, but did not provide a timeline for his return.
The absence of McConnell’s vote prevented Republicans from advancing a farm bill out of committee Thursday, highlighting the impact of his continued recovery on legislative business.
By The Numbers
- More than 100 times Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment at the hearing
- June 14 — the date McConnell was first hospitalized following a fall
- Two American diplomats were denied visas by Brazil last month
- October — the month Brazil’s President Lula is bidding for reelection
Other Developments
The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil’s Ambassador Maria Luiza Viotti in response to Brazil’s denial of visas to two American diplomats. Lula characterized the U.S. action as irresponsible, stating he has been coordinating with other world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of planned discussions with Trump.
Iran said Wednesday it was in the final stage of drafting an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump indicating the deal could be announced this week. The agreement would likely depend on the United States lifting its blockade on Iran’s ports.
An offshore wind company reached a $1.2 billion deal with the Trump administration to relinquish wind power leases off the coasts of New York, California, and Louisiana. The arrangement aligns with the administration’s energy priorities.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the first ship in the Navy’s new nuclear-powered battleship program would cost approximately $23 billion, with the remaining 15 ships scheduled for purchase through 2056 averaging slightly more than $18 billion each. The White House requested $1 billion for early work on the new “Trump-class” battleship, though Democrats blocked that provision from the government funding package.
Trump posted on Truth Social defending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and stated that an Iran war “is going very well.” The vice president joined a Senate Republican lunch Thursday to discuss government funding and a proof-of-citizenship voting bill, and planned to thank Senate Republicans for confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general.
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