Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Wednesday that his office is launching an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci following a contentious Senate committee hearing. 

"Fauci's lack of candor to Congress is unbelievable. My office is launching an investigation into Dr. Fauci. It's past time we get the truth of what happened during COVID," Uthmeier said in a post on X. 

Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), invoked the 5th Amendment a total of 111 times on Wednesday, during testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

While Fauci repeatedly cited the 5th Amendment in refusing to answer questions, many lawmakers questioned whether President Joe Biden's sweeping pardon of Fauci had voided his right to refuse to testify.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for instance, referenced the Brown vs. Walker Supreme Court case of 1896, suggesting it was precedent that would have voided Fauci's 5th Amendment claims.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., moreover, has indicated that his panel will vote on holding Fauci in contempt.