Sorry this took a bit... I was busy telling The-Kid to shut the fuck up.
While you are correct that the 5th Amendment grants him protections against self-incrimination (I’m assuming that’s the part you’re referencing with this) it’s a poor argument because it only addresses the how; not the “why”. Basically, this point is completely moot.
Everything said here is speculation with no evidence to corroborate if true. It can just as easily be assumed that he pled the 5th because he had something to hide. It can also be just as easy to assume congress would have taken his answers at face value, said that sounds good, and moved on. Again, all speculation with nothing to back it up.
It’s a copout excuse because this was a congressional hearing; not a grand jury trial. Despite the grilling and theatrics, the core purpose was fact finding. He wasn’t being put on trial for crimes. So unless his answers would have given grounds for criminal investigation this was no more than an inquiry.
Any instances of misspeak, contradiction, etc. wouldn’t be enough grounds to charge Fauci on the spot. The worst of it would be public opinion and the possibility for further investigation. As long as there was no malicious intent to lie, perjure, obstruct, misrepresent, etc. then nothing would stick no matter what anyone with an axe to grind would throw at him. You don’t get charged/convicted of contempt or whatever for answering in good faith. Unless you want to use how democrats changed the laws to charge Trump as retort.
The court of public opinion is already out there. Fauci’s already being hassled by congress. He was already preemptively pardoned by Biden. At this point there not much worse that could go on for him other than being indited for crimes; which the pardon already covers. Why not take the opportunity to set the record straight if there is nothing to hide or fear? In that aspect, the most ethical and better thing to do would have been to answer honestly and clear his name.
