The Issue: Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the Fifth Amendment 111 times at a hearing on COVID.

The smug Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights a shocking 111 times when called to testify before Congress about COVID, even with his laughable pardon in effect (“Dr. Fauci’s silent treatment,” July 30).

It is obvious that he is more concerned with his reputation than the truth. Sen. Rand Paul is right: He belongs behind bars.

Bo Madden

Jupiter, Fla.

Who gets a pardon backdated for 12 years and isn’t worried about public outrage? I guess Democrats thought they would be in the White House forever. It seems they ignore the value of public trust.

I understand how embarrassing this is for Fauci, but why write your personal comments on a government server and not think it would ever be released? I hope they do proceed with contempt charges.

Greg Raleigh

Washington, DC

This hearing, reminiscent of the McCarthy era, was no more than a continuation of Sen. Rand Paul’s campaign against Fauci. Taking the Fifth was the smart thing to do because one way or another, Paul is going to continue his vendetta.

Lou Maione

Manhattan

Fauci’s choice to plead the Fifth 111 times was reprehensible but predictable. His silence gave credence to the overall fraudulent and devious tactics he imposed on the American people during the pandemic.

Children being deprived of an educational setting made worse by mandatory mask-wearing and people being fired for noncompliance with the vaccine mandate are just some of the harms inflicted upon Americans.

Fauci’s legacy will be of a vile mad scientist who was consumed with self-adulation and profited off of to the detriment of millions.

Denis David

East Rockaway

Republicans and right-wing media outlets are denouncing Fauci for taking the Fifth over 100 times before a Senate investigative panel.

Yet these same people were silent when President Trump took the Fifth Amendment more than 440 times in 2022 during the New York attorney general’s investigation into his business practices.

Dennis Middlebrooks

Brooklyn

If you looked up the words “arrogant” or “egotistic,” you would see a picture of Anthony Fauci.

There is a place in hell for a man who caused so much damage and pain and — when asked to apologize and take responsibility for his actions — cowardly hides behind the Fifth Amendment. Just watching him smugly sit in front of Congress made me physically sick.

Jean Cole

Juno Beach, Fla.

The sheer arrogance of Fauci at the Senate hearing would be enough to make you despise him. But those blank, dead eyes added to his zombie-like demeanor. Over a million Americans died from COVID on his watch, and he acts as if they’re just another entry in his diary. May history record that this doctor failed his oath to “do no harm.”

Rob Feuerstein

Staten Island

COVID was not created or first discovered in the United States, but many Americans succumbed to it. Fauci is not to blame for its national and international effects on our country and the world.

Wayne Williams

Camden, NJ

So Fauci pleaded the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during his Senate testimony.

He still comfortably collects his very large federal pension while sitting on a pile of research funds that he gained by cozying up to Big Pharma during the pandemic.

Police officers and other civil servants lose their pensions for far less severe indiscretions.

Bill Riegel

Suffolk County

Anthony Fauci, the once-esteemed coronavirus czar, stoically invoked his Fifth Amendment rights a staggering 111 times before the Senate Homeland Security Committee investigating the notorious gain-of-function experiments that may have created the COVID virus.

Isn’t it about time this lauded and puffed up “Mr. Science” figure gains the well-deserved “Dr. Franken-Fauci” moniker?

James Hyland

Beechhurst

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.