Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard used her final day in office Thursday to release a trove of declassified documents she says show former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci lied to Congress, supported allegations that NIH-funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology constituted gain-of-function work, and worked with intelligence officials in ways Ms. Gabbard argues disadvantaged the lab-leak origin theory of COVID-19.
“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, 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 while under oath in 2024,” Ms. Gabbard said in a video posted to X. “It’s time you know the truth.”
The documents released Thursday night include some information already known to the public, as well as material that had not previously been reported. Among the newly declassified records are communications showing that intelligence officials considered but ultimately rejected Dr. Fauci as an outside reviewer of their COVID-19 origins assessment, warning he would be seen as having a conflict of interest.
The ODNI said the materials indicate Dr. Fauci was involved in discussions connected to intelligence assessments while simultaneously serving as NIAID director. The agency said some of those communications conflict with testimony Dr. Fauci provided before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in 2024, during which he was asked whether he had communicated with intelligence agencies regarding viral research connected to COVID-19 and replied, “not to my knowledge about COVID.”
Among the documents is an August 2021 communication referencing a whistleblower complaint alleging Dr. Fauci provided “false testimony to Congress related to the conduct of gain of function research at the National Institutes of Health.”
The release also includes whistleblower testimony alleging that intelligence analysts who expressed alternative views on the virus’ origins faced professional consequences, including marginalization, career setbacks and pressure against dissenting opinions. The ODNI said several of those allegations have been referred to the Intelligence Community Inspector General for review.
Ms. Gabbard said the documents were the product of a yearlong declassification review conducted in support of President Trump’s transparency mandate.
“The COVID pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of our fellow Americans and countless people around the world,” Ms. Gabbard said. “Now, after years of lies and censorship and cover-ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability. The tactics that were 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 the vital facts he needed to keep the country safe.”
Dr. Fauci, who led NIAID for decades and became one of the most prominent figures in the U.S. pandemic response, has repeatedly denied allegations that he covered up the origins of COVID-19.
Ms. Gabbard announced her resignation earlier this month. In her resignation letter, she revealed that her husband, cinematographer Abraham Williams, has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and said she could not “in good conscience” allow him to face the illness without her by his side. Her resignation is effective June 30.
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