Dr. Anthony Fauci accused Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) of having an “unhinged obsession” with him as he invoked his Fifth Amendment right to avoid the possibility that Republicans might use his testimony to prosecute him for perjury.

Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, and in his opening statement he noted Paul’s “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me.”

Fauci added that the only purpose of Paul’s is to achieve that purpose.

“The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something — anything — that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words — quote — ‘behind bars,’” Fauci said.

“Any reasonable person who has followed his unhinged obsession with me would readily come to the same conclusion,” he continued. “Therefore, although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress, under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the 5th Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions.”

Fauci’s statement comes days after Paul decided to release his personal journal to the public.

Fauci also said in his opening remarks that during his decade-long career, where he served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he testified before or briefed congressional committees hundreds of times, which “proved that I believe in and respect the value of legitimate congressional oversight.”

Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during Paul’s testimony, leading the Kentucky lawmaker to promise “repercussions” for not answering questions.

“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,” Paul said. “It’s against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress. There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today.”

Paul then ordered Fauci’s attorney to be removed from the room as the lawyer tried to respond.

Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told NBC News that Dr. Fauci’s decision to exercise his Fifth Amendment right was “the more prudent course.”

“This show trial is a perjury craft for criminal prosecution going forward,” the senator added.