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Whistleblower Claims Fauci Manipulated CIA Lab-Leak Probe

5/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A CIA whistleblower alleged Dr. Anthony Fauci inserted himself into intelligence probe of COVID-19’s origins.
James Erdman III testified that Dr. Anthony Fauci made CIA label virus a lab leak on August 12, 2021, then reverse it on August 17, 2021.
He claimed Dr. Anthony Fauci supplied an expert list and pressured the agency to use his network.
Senator Rand Paul asked if the testimony shows a long-standing intelligence cover-up.

History

Historical Context

In 1975 the Senate formed the Church Committee, chaired by Senator Frank Church, to investigate CIA, FBI and IRS abuses revealed after Watergate. The panel questioned 50 witnesses, reviewed 3,000 documents, and its findings spurred President Gerald Ford’s 1976 executive order banning CIA assassinations and later reforms. Today’s claims about Dr. Anthony Fauci echo those 1975 revelations, raising calls for renewed oversight.

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Story summary

A CIA whistleblower alleged Dr. Anthony Fauci inserted himself into intelligence probe of COVID-19’s origins.
James Erdman III testified that Dr. Anthony Fauci made CIA label virus a lab leak on August 12, 2021, then reverse it on August 17, 2021.
He claimed Dr. Anthony Fauci supplied an expert list and pressured the agency to use his network.
Senator Rand Paul asked if the testimony shows a long-standing intelligence cover-up.

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