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Senate Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt, Seizes Encrypted iPhone: Can Investigators Read It?

Rand Paul supported the contempt referral and chose to send it directly to the Justice Department rather than seek a full Senate vote.

Senate Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt, Seizes Encrypted iPhone: Can Investigators Read It?
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Outlet credibilityTech Times58/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 1, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
tl;dr

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-5 to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt and refer the matter to the Justice Department. Investigators also obtained a forensic copy of his encrypted government iPhone, but whether they can access its contents remains unclear.

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11 VOTES
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Rand Paul R · KY · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

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Rand Paul
R · KY · SEN

Senator who led the contempt effort and directed the referral to the Justice Department

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ron Johnson
R · WI · SEN

Chair of the subcommittee that obtained the forensic copy of Fauci’s phone

Johnson's version of this story ↗

Former attorney general mentioned in comparison with earlier contempt referrals

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who commented on Biden’s pardon of Fauci

Former president who granted Fauci a pardon

Gary C. Peters
D · MI · SEN

Ranking member who opposed the contempt approach

ALSO MENTIONED  Anthony Fauci, Former infectious-disease specialist at the center of the contempt proceeding; Eric Holder, Former attorney general mentioned in comparison with earlier contempt referrals; Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia who will oversee the referral’s assessment; Peter Navarro, Person cited as a recent example of a contempt-related prosecution; Steve Bannon, Person cited as a recent example of a contempt-related prosecution

Part of a bigger story

30 OUTLETS
Rand Paul Leads Senate Committee Vote to Hold Fauci in Contempt

The Senate committee voted along party lines to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt after he invoked the Fifth Amendment during testimony; Rand Paul led the effort and said he would refer the matter to the Justice Department. Left-leaning outlets stress objections to the vote and the exchange over its precedent. Center outlets emphasize the vote, the competing legal arguments and what may happen next. Right-leaning outlets more often present the vote as accountability for Fauci’s refusal to answer, with some strongly criticizing Fauci and opponents.

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