US intelligence chief releases declassified COVID-19 records, alleges Fauci misled Congress
Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has released a set of documents that she says raise new questions about the origins of COVID-19 and the role of former U.S. health official Dr. Anthony Fauci in funding research linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
According to Gabbard, the documents indicate that U.S. taxpayer funds were used to support gain-of-function research at the Wuhan laboratory and that efforts were made to promote the theory that the virus originated naturally rather than through a laboratory incident.
In statements accompanying the release, Gabbard alleged that Fauci worked with members of the intelligence community and scientific advisers to downplay the possibility of a lab leak and conceal the extent of U.S. involvement in the research.
She further claimed that Fauci misled Congress during testimony and accused government officials of manipulating intelligence assessments and withholding key information from policymakers and the public.
“Dr. Fauci provided millions in U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, worked with politicized elements within the Intelligence Community to suppress the truth about his actions and hide the virus’ lab-leak origins, and lied to Congress,” Gabbard said in a statement.
Gabbard also alleged that Fauci played a significant role in shaping intelligence and scientific narratives surrounding the pandemic’s origins, arguing that efforts were made to shift attention away from research activities funded by U.S. agencies.
The allegations have reignited debate over the origins of COVID-19, a subject that remains contested among scientists, intelligence agencies and policymakers. While some agencies have assessed that a laboratory-related incident is plausible, others continue to support or favor a natural-origin explanation. No definitive consensus has been reached.
Fauci has repeatedly denied allegations that he funded risky research responsible for the pandemic or that he misled Congress. He has maintained that funding provided through U.S. programs complied with federal regulations and that available evidence does not conclusively establish the origin of the virus.
The newly released documents are expected to draw scrutiny from lawmakers, public health experts and intelligence officials as questions surrounding the pandemic’s origins continue to generate political and scientific debate.
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