If you watched the news during the height of COVID-19 six years ago, you cannot forget Dr. Anthony Fauci.

He appeared on TV daily, explaining health guidelines and recommending vaccines and mask-wearing, becoming a symbol of U.S. public health policy.

However, in July 2026, news broke that Dr. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing, shaking the U.S. political landscape.

It's easy to think, "Isn't he silent because he did something wrong?" But invoking the Fifth Amendment in the U.S. means exercising the constitutional right to refuse to answer questions when one believes their responses could be used against them in a criminal case, based on legal advice.

In fact, Fauci stated he would not answer questions based on his attorney's recommendation.

The hearing was led by Republican Senator Rand Paul, who has been a strong critic of Fauci since the early days of the pandemic.

He has particularly pressed Fauci on any connections to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and whether he adequately explained the origins of COVID-19 to the public.

On the other hand, Fauci's team holds a completely different view.

In his opening statement, he claimed that the hearing was not about uncovering the truth but rather a political attack aimed at making him a target for criminal prosecution.

Given the long-standing criticisms from Senator Rand Paul, Fauci believed that any answer he provided could lead to legal issues, and ultimately chose to invoke his right to remain silent based on his legal team's advice.

As expected, U.S. politics has become sharply divided. Republicans criticized him strongly, saying, "If he is innocent, why can't he answer?"

Conversely, Democrats and many in the scientific community defended Fauci, arguing that a scientist who has dedicated decades to public health should not be made a political scapegoat.

The atmosphere intensified during the hearing, with personal records and diary entries from the pandemic being disclosed, leading to moments of tension, including Fauci's attorney being removed from the hearing room.

Reactions in the U.S. are extremely polarized. Many conservatives are calling for accountability for COVID policies.

On the other hand, many argue that it is excessive to politically judge a situation where no one had perfect answers during the pandemic.

Comments on Reddit and news articles show a flood of both criticism and support for Fauci.

The most significant takeaway from this incident is that while COVID may be over, the conflicts within American society are far from resolved.

There are still differing memories and interpretations regarding the virus's origins, lockdown policies, vaccines, and mask mandates. One side calls it accountability, while the other labels it political revenge.

Ultimately, this hearing involving Fauci may be recorded as a significant event, highlighting that the deep divisions surrounding COVID-19 in American society are still ongoing.

There is also a possibility of further hearings or new information being released, suggesting that this controversy will not settle down easily for the time being.