Gabbard: Fauci influenced Covid origin review

Washington: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has released declassified documents she claims show former US infectious disease official Anthony Fauci influenced intelligence assessments on the origins of Covid-19 and later denied such contacts under oath before Congress.

The documents, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), form part of the Trump administration’s efforts to re-examine the pandemic’s origins and the role of US agencies and scientists.

According to Gabbard, the material shows Fauci, while serving as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), interacted with intelligence officials during debates over whether Covid-19 emerged naturally or resulted from a laboratory incident in Wuhan, China.

ODNI said that its review included whistleblower testimony alleging retaliation against officials who challenged prevailing assessments. 

The agency claimed Fauci recommended experts consulted during intelligence reviews and influenced discussions on the virus’s origins.

Among the documents is a July 2021 email describing Fauci as a subject matter expert. Another communication refers to a whistleblower complaint alleging he provided false testimony to Congress regarding gain-of-function research. US agencies remain divided over Covid-19’s origins.

—IANS