Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Wednesday warned Dr. Anthony Fauci that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee may consider "consequences" for him after he refused to answer questions.

Fauci declined to answer questions from the panel, citing his 5th Amendment rights. Paul, for his part, noted that Fauci had received a pardon from President Joe Biden and that the committee chairman had rejected his claims of privilege.

"The Chairman has denied your assertion of privilege and directed you to answer. But you nonetheless refuse and stand on privilege despite the existence of the pardo," Paul said. "The Committee will have to consider, after this hearing, what appropriate action should be taken against you for the failure to testify after being directed to do so."

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

The committee has sought testimony from Fauci about his role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.