Full Breakdown
Tulsi Gabbard Releases Documents Alleging Anthony Fauci’s Influence on COVID-19 Origin Assessments
6/20/2026, 8:18:33 AM
Background: Funding and Intelligence Intersections
Before the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), directed “millions in U.S. taxpayer dollars” to “dangerous gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses” at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). The documents released by outgoing Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard contend that Fauci’s close relationships with career officials in the Intelligence Community (IC) allowed him to shape the agency’s COVID-19 origin assessments, promote a natural-origin narrative, and shield the funding program from scrutiny.
Key Findings from the Released Documents
The declassified files show:
- Intelligence analysts initially considered rejecting Fauci as an “outside reviewer” of the 90-day presidential COVID-origin study because of a perceived conflict of interest.
- An internal email identifies the study’s lead as “the [REDACTED] and, as such, leading the [intelligence community’s] 90-day POTUS COVID origin study,” noting Fauci’s recommendation to interview co-authors of a specific paper.
- A senior analyst argued that Fauci should be treated as a subject-matter expert, not a policymaker, writing, “he’s not a policymaker… he’s a SME with a wealth of knowledge…”.
- A CIA whistleblower alleged that Fauci “exerted undue influence over the intelligence community’s assessment of COVID-19’s origins.”
- The release asserts that Fauci “lied to Congress in 2024, when under oath he denied knowledge of or participation in discussions with intelligence officials about viral research.”
Official Statements & Responses
DNI Gabbard said the release is the product of a “year-long declassification review in support of President Trump’s maximum-transparency mandate” and that “the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability.” The ODNI press release echoed this, stating that Fauci “worked with politicized career leadership in the IC to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus’ lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research.” Acting Inspector General Tamara Johnson later emailed senior officials that a whistleblower complaint alleging Fauci’s false testimony “does not meet the urgent-concern standard.” Separately, the CIA’s Weapons & Counterproliferation Mission Center issued a low-confidence assessment that COVID-19 most likely leaked from a lab.
Criticism & Opposition
Conservative lawmakers and commentators have long alleged that Fauci and other public-health officials “downplayed or helped steer scrutiny away from the lab-leak theory” despite U.S. financial links to Wuhan research. Senate leaders have expressed concern that the documents reveal a pattern of “suppressing dissent, silencing critics, and burying evidence.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Fauci’s 2024 congressional testimony denied any discussions with intelligence agencies, while the released emails suggest he advised the IC and participated in briefings. The Inspector General’s determination that the whistleblower complaint lacked urgency contradicts the claim that the matter warranted immediate oversight. The documents reference “millions” of funding but do not disclose exact amounts or detailed contracts, leaving the scale of the research program unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Tulsi Gabbard, DNI
- “Fauci worked with politicized career leadership in the Intelligence Community (IC) to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus’ lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research that caused immeasurable harm and countless lost lives,” — ODNI press release
- “For those who don’t know me, I’m the [REDACTED] and, as such, leading the [intelligence community’s] 90-day POTUS COVID origin study,” — Email from an intelligence official
- “In this case he’s not a policymaker….he’s a SME with a wealth of knowledge about current and historical research who probably knows better than most who the real Coronavirus experts are.” — Response from an intelligence analyst
- “The tactics used to hide the truth are straight from the deep state playbook: politicized self-serving leaders like Dr. Fauci covered up their own wrongdoing and abuses of power, manipulated intelligence, lied to Congress, and undermined a duly elected President by restricting his access to vital facts.” — Tulsi Gabbard statement
What’s Next
Bill Pulte, former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, will serve as acting DNI while his permanent nomination proceeds. Congressional committees have signaled intent to review the newly released materials, and additional whistleblower testimonies are expected as the ODNI continues its declassification effort. The dispute over Fauci’s alleged testimony and the scope of U.S. funding for Wuhan research remains a focal point for forthcoming oversight hearings.
