Top 5 moments from Fauci's hearing: Paul boots lawyer, Moreno erupts as contempt vote looms

What was billed as a battle of wits between Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Dr. Anthony Fauci, with the lawmaker determined to uncover the former COVID-19 explainer-in-chiefs motivations during the pandemic, became a one-sided affair in the Senate.

Paul has for years sought to uncover Faucis alleged role in funding "risky" research in China that Republicans say sparked the pandemic in 2020. He has argued that Fauci should be thrown in prison, and that the former chief medical advisor to the presidents pardon from former President Joe Biden wouldnt hold up.

But the highly anticipated back and forth, which was further stoked by Paul dumping over 1,000 pages of Faucis diary online before the hearing, didnt go exactly as planned.

The hearing kicked off with an impassioned opening statement from Paul, who accused Fauci and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of funding gain-of-function research for years, misleading Congress and destroying records, which he contended created a fracture in public trust over the nations COVID-19 response.

"That loss of trust may be your most damaging legacy," Paul said. "Trust can't be ordered. It has to be earned. No scientist is above scrutiny. No government official beyond accountability, and no public servant preferred version of history."

But Fauci, under guidance from his lawyers, opted against answering any questions from Paul or others on the committee.

He argued that Paul's "obvious obsession" with pushing for his prosecution, levying allegations against him, and dumping his unredacted diary was designed to "get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote."

"Although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government, and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions," Fauci said.

It wasnt long after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment that tensions flared in the hearing.

After being repeatedly asked questions, and repeatedly turning to his constitutional shield, Paul declared that as chair of the committee, he was denying Faucis right to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

"It's against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress," Paul said. "There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today."

Then Faucis lawyer, David Schertler, spoke up to remind Paul it was Faucis constitutional right to turn to the Fifth Amendment.

Paul reminded Schertler that neither he, nor the "half dozen" lawyers with Fauci were recognized by the committee. That prompted Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the top Democrat on the panel, to push for Schertler to speak.

But Paul was not having it.

"This is the way Anthony Fauci wants to be remembered — for a lawyer not listening to the rules," Paul said. "That's the way you want to be remembered, and that's what you're going to do. You are not recognized, sir. Security, please remove him from the room."

The hearing chugged along at roughly the same pace — lawmakers would ask Fauci a question, then he would invoke the Fifth Amendment.

But that didnt stop some on the panel from getting frustrated at his lack of forthrightnes