Fauci Hearings

[barnhart]

This is not something I have been following closely but in general I would say officials who use public office to build personal wealth deserve prison. Although I doubt being on magazine covers amounts to millions. That sort of wealth is likely the result of insider trading and influence peddling (selling access to the decision making process). It's nice to see public officials are occasionally held to account for this.

[temporal1]

This is not something I have been following closely but in general I would say officials who use public office to build personal wealth deserve prison. Although I doubt being on magazine covers amounts to millions. That sort of wealth is likely the result of insider trading and influence peddling (selling access to the decision making process). It's nice to see public officials are occasionally held to account for this.

(i think) it’s important to keep clear heads about “the exalted” to remember they’re human+fallible, temptations are great for them; it’s esp important to reject idol worship where ever it appears. “No other gods.” (Evidently, Fauci reveled in self.)

Most are completely unprepared to handle such status.
It has led to the downfall of many.

From the little i’ve read of his diaries, he seems to write “like a silly little girl”.
Unnerving given his position and power.

P.1 / As Valerie noted, affecting all the world. i first think of Italy. reports of hell.

[Judas Maccabeus]

Considering as Fauci has a blanket pardon, it seems the proper way for things to be evaluated now is for all the facts and details to simply come out, and let the public decide.

It is thus disappointing that Fauci invoked the 5th amendment over 100 times. He has no reason not to share anything. Instead, he is making it appear he has something to hide.

I suspect his lawyer is worried about a “making false statements under oath “ charge, if he gets even the slightest set of facts wrong. He can be tried for offenses he committed during this hearing , as his pardon doesn’t cover this. The only way they could actually compel him to give testimony is to grant him immunity for what he says during this hearing. Otherwise he won’t talk, and courts won’t force him to either, based on the 5th amendment. It would be especially true, in light of some already calling for his imprisonment. You want the truth or you want his head. Getting both is likely impossible.

[JohnH]

I suspect his lawyer is worried about a “making false statements under oath “ charge, if he gets even the slightest set of facts wrong. He can be tried for offenses he committed during this hearing , as his pardon doesn’t cover this. The only way they could actually compel him to give testimony is to grant him immunity for what he says during this hearing. Otherwise he won’t talk, and courts won’t force him to either, based on the 5th amendment. It would be especially true, in light of some already calling for his imprisonment. You want the truth or you want his head. Getting both is likely impossible.

So, in other words, nobody ever has to (or should) testify in front of Congress; just answer every question with a 5th amendment claim?

Why can't he just not make false statements? Is that so hard to do?

[Grace]

I suspect his lawyer is worried about a “making false statements under oath “ charge, if he gets even the slightest set of facts wrong. He can be tried for offenses he committed during this hearing , as his pardon doesn’t cover this. The only way they could actually compel him to give testimony is to grant him immunity for what he says during this hearing. Otherwise he won’t talk, and courts won’t force him to either, based on the 5th amendment. It would be especially true, in light of some already calling for his imprisonment. You want the truth or you want his head. Getting both is likely impossible.

So, in other words, nobody ever has to (or should) testify in front of Congress; just answer every question with a 5th amendment claim?

Why can't he just not make false statements? Is that so hard to do?

That would mean he would need to tell the truth.

[temporal1]

I suspect his lawyer is worried about a “making false statements under oath “ charge, if he gets even the slightest set of facts wrong. He can be tried for offenses he committed during this hearing , as his pardon doesn’t cover this. The only way they could actually compel him to give testimony is to grant him immunity for what he says during this hearing. Otherwise he won’t talk, and courts won’t force him to either, based on the 5th amendment. It would be especially true, in light of some already calling for his imprisonment. You want the truth or you want his head. Getting both is likely impossible.

So, in other words, nobody ever has to (or should) testify in front of Congress; just answer every question with a 5th amendment claim?

Why can't he just not make false statements? Is that so hard to do?

That would mean he would need to tell the truth.

Ask WJC about perjury.

[Judas Maccabeus]

I suspect his lawyer is worried about a “making false statements under oath “ charge, if he gets even the slightest set of facts wrong. He can be tried for offenses he committed during this hearing , as his pardon doesn’t cover this. The only way they could actually compel him to give testimony is to grant him immunity for what he says during this hearing. Otherwise he won’t talk, and courts won’t force him to either, based on the 5th amendment. It would be especially true, in light of some already calling for his imprisonment. You want the truth or you want his head. Getting both is likely impossible.

So, in other words, nobody ever has to (or should) testify in front of Congress; just answer every question with a 5th amendment claim?

Why can't he just not make false statements? Is that so hard to do?

Except they are saying they want to send him to jail. Immunity would take that possibility off the table.

[Bootstrap]

Considering as Fauci has a blanket pardon, it seems the proper way for things to be evaluated now is for all the facts and details to simply come out, and let the public decide.

It is thus disappointing that Fauci invoked the 5th amendment over 100 times. He has no reason not to share anything. Instead, he is making it appear he has something to hide.

I suspect his lawyer is worried about a “making false statements under oath “ charge, if he gets even the slightest set of facts wrong. He can be tried for offenses he committed during this hearing , as his pardon doesn’t cover this. The only way they could actually compel him to give testimony is to grant him immunity for what he says during this hearing. Otherwise he won’t talk, and courts won’t force him to either, based on the 5th amendment. It would be especially true, in light of some already calling for his imprisonment. You want the truth or you want his head. Getting both is likely impossible.

They are asking him to testify under oath about events that happened many years ago, from memory. In the last few years, other former officials have faced criminal charges alleging false statements or perjury arising from this kind of testimony. None has ultimately been convicted on those charges.

Even if a defendant is eventually acquitted, Fauci’s lawyer has good reason to worry that one inaccurate answer at this kind of hearing could lead to years of criminal litigation.

That can involve enormous legal expenses and become a major focus of a person’s life.

Most congressional hearings are not conducted under oath. Choosing to require sworn testimony in an investigative hearing inevitably increases the legal risk for the witness. I imagine that's why Fauci's lawyer advised invoking the Fifth Amendment.

[Bootstrap]

To those who think Fauci should have testified under oath. Do you feel the same way about Trump, in the impeachment proceedings? Is the sauce for the goose also sauce for the gander?

What about Trump officials who are called to testify if the House flips during the midterms?

How do you avoid the danger of McCarthy-style show trials? While still maintaining the role of Congress as an oversight body that can check the Executive branch?

[GaryK]

To those who think Fauci should have testified under oath. Do you feel the same way about Trump, in the impeachment proceedings? Is the sauce for the goose also sauce for the gander?

What about Trump officials who are called to testify if the House flips during the midterms?

How do you avoid the danger of McCarthy-style show trials? While still maintaining the role of Congress as an oversight body that can check the Executive branch?

What is your position on Fauci and Trump testifying under oath?