Trump Comments on Pardon Power Following Fauci's Congressional Hearing

President Donald Trump stated that he respects the presidential pardon power, referencing former President Joe Biden's preemptive pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Trump's remarks followed Fauci's congressional appearance, where he invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times. Trump acknowledged the significance of the pardon, saying, "The most powerful thing a president has, they say, is the power of pardon." He noted that he has not been a supporter of Fauci but recognized that Fauci's decision to plead the Fifth was made at the direction of his attorney. Fauci's testimony was prompted by the release of his personal diary entries by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Senator Rand Paul, who chairs the committee, announced plans to vote on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify.