Defining contempt. That is the latest topic of conversation on social media. Dr. Fuaci has been referred to the department of justice for contempt of congress. That follows his pleading the fifth amendment 111 times in a row over a three-hour time frame.

Now, not being an attorney, I was curious on how you define contempt in a legal setting. How to define a feeling. That’s what I feel contempt really is, just the feeling that you are being treated contemptuously. But, of course, it isn’t that straightforward, the law never is.

I read about contempt of court and contempt of congress. They are the same thing, only different. Yes, a judge decides if you are in contempt of court, but it takes a full vote from congress or the department of justice to charge contempt of congress.

The senate committee voted 8-5 to ask the DOJ to charge Fauci with contempt of congress. He could be fined as much as 1000 dollars and go to prison for a year. Those are the maximums. His contempt is in refusing to answer questions. The senate committee is attempting to gather all the facts regarding covid and the response to that.

It’s a delicate balance between the authority of the court/congress and personal freedom. That’s where the fifth amendment comes into play. You are guaranteed the right to not self-incriminate. On the other side of that if the court and/or congress has no authority to enforce anything how can you govern?

Article one of the United States constitution enumerates the power of congress. It also protects the rights of the citizens. The bill of rights, those first ten amendments enumerate our personal rights. In legal terms, precedent is what is used to determine the extent of congressional powers. That’s where all the legal wrangling takes place.

In the case of Dr. Fauci he was granted a preemptive pardon under Biden. That authority comes from the article 2 of the constitution. The supreme court has ruled that power is broad and can be issued any time after an offense has been committed, including before legal charges can be filed. So, from my standpoint he isn’t subject to any charges regarding anything he testifies too. He was pardoned.

And this is where the lawyers will enter the fray, citing precedent to support their own interpretation of the statute. It says,” after an offense has been committed” so that’s why he was pardoned, because an offense had been committed. Seems obvious enough to me.

Using my social media degree in law it’s my feeling the whole contempt charges will hinge upon that. If he is indeed shielded from any and all charges regarding covid, the vaccine, the response to that, and everything else for the last ten years it is contemptuous not to answer the questions.

It won’t be that simple or direct. I’m fully aware of all that. For some Dr. Fauci is a hero and to others just a charlatan. I hear about his five decades of public service, his presidential medal of freedom and all of those accolades.

Does that excuse him from testifying? Isn’t that the purpose of that pardon, to shield him from prosecution? Does that pardon also shield his reputation? Is it contempt of congress to refuse to testify? The fifth amendment isn’t intended to be a “get out of jail free card.” That’s what the pardon is.