Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a new batch of declassified documents Thursday that she said raise serious questions about Dr. Anthony Fauci’s role in federal coronavirus research funding, intelligence assessments regarding COVID-19’s origins and testimony provided to Congress.
The release came during Gabbard’s final day as director and was accompanied by allegations that information related to the origins of the pandemic had been withheld from the public for years.
According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the documents were uncovered during a yearlong declassification review conducted as part of President Donald Trump’s transparency initiative.
Gabbard said the records include communications between intelligence officials, scientists and government agencies during the pandemic.
“After years of lies, censorship, and cover ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability,” Gabbard said in a video statement announcing the release.
She alleged that the documents show Fauci, while serving as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, directed millions of dollars in taxpayer funding toward coronavirus research connected to China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology.
According to Gabbard, the records also suggest that intelligence agencies relied heavily on guidance from Fauci and scientists linked to research funded through NIAID when evaluating competing theories about the origins of COVID-19.
The documents reportedly contain hundreds of emails and communications involving intelligence officials and outside researchers during the height of the pandemic.
Among the most significant allegations is Gabbard’s claim that correspondence contained in the release contradicts testimony Fauci provided during a 2024 appearance before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Gabbard asserted that the newly released materials challenge Fauci’s statements regarding communications with intelligence agencies about virus research and the origins of COVID-19.
The release also includes allegations from intelligence community whistleblowers who claimed analysts faced retaliation for supporting the theory that the virus may have originated from a laboratory incident.
According to ODNI, several whistleblowers alleged they were marginalized, denied advancement opportunities or subjected to professional pressure after expressing views that differed from official assessments.
Gabbard highlighted claims that one contractor was terminated after coming forward as a whistleblower and that some analysts believed their career prospects could be affected by positions taken during the virus-origin debate, per Trending Politics.
The origins of COVID-19 have remained a subject of debate since the pandemic began.
Some federal agencies have concluded with varying levels of confidence that a laboratory-related incident was the most likely cause of the outbreak, while other agencies have supported theories involving natural transmission.
Congressional Republicans have repeatedly called for greater transparency regarding federal funding of overseas virus research and the government’s handling of information related to the pandemic.
Fauci has consistently denied allegations that he funded gain-of-function research responsible for creating COVID-19 and has defended his actions throughout the pandemic.
As of Thursday evening, Fauci had not publicly responded to the latest allegations contained in Gabbard’s release.
The documents are expected to draw renewed scrutiny from lawmakers and researchers as debates continue over the origins of COVID-19 and the federal government’s response to the pandemic.
Gabbard said the release was intended to provide information she believes Americans were denied access to for years.
“It’s time you know the truth,” she said.
