Fauci lied under oath, funded Wuhan lab: US intelligence head
What's the story
United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard made explosive allegations against Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former Chief Medical Advisor to the US President, on what she described as her last day in office. She accused Fauci of funding "gain-of-function" research at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology, manipulating intelligence reports on COVID-19's origins, and misleading Congress under oath.
Document release
Gabbard's allegations against Fauci
In a statement on social media platform X, Gabbard wrote, "Today, on my final day as Director of National Intelligence, I'm releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr. Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab." She alleged that Fauci worked with politicized elements within the Intelligence Community to suppress information about his actions and hide the virus' lab-leak origins.
Official backing
ODNI backs allegations
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) backed Gabbard's allegations, saying Fauci directed taxpayer money toward gain-of-function research involving bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The ODNI claimed this research is "now widely viewed as the source of the unintentional lab leak that sparked the pandemic." It also alleged that Fauci collaborated with politicized career leadership in suppressing information about COVID-19's origins and his funding role.
Call for accountability
'American people deserve transparency, truth, accountability'
Gabbard slammed Fauci's alleged actions, saying they are "straight from the deep state playbook." She accused him of covering up wrongdoing, manipulating intelligence, lying to Congress, and undermining a duly elected President. "The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of our fellow Americans and for countless people around the world. After years of lies, censorship, and cover-ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability," she said.
Leadership transition
Bill Pulte to succeed Gabbard as Acting DNI
The documents were released after a year-long declassification review to support President Donald Trump's transparency agenda. Gabbard will resign on June 30, with Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, succeeding her as Acting DNI. Pulte will continue his role at the Federal Housing Finance Agency while temporarily leading the United States's 18 intelligence agencies.