Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released documents on her final day in office, alleging that Dr. Anthony Fauci directed U.S. taxpayer funds toward "dangerous gain-of-function research" at a Wuhan lab linked to COVID-19's origins. The documents also claim Fauci suppressed information about the lab-leak theory and misled Congress in 2024.
Gabbard's release comes amid a contentious transition at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Bill Pulte, a construction businessman and housing official, is set to take over as interim director, despite bipartisan criticism over his lack of intelligence experience. Senate Republicans and Democrats have raised concerns that Pulte may weaponize the intelligence community for political purposes.
The U.S. intelligence community remains divided on COVID-19's origins. The FBI and Energy Department assess with low-to-moderate confidence that an accidental lab leak is the most likely source, while the CIA concludes with low confidence that a research-related origin is more likely than a natural one. China maintains that the virus originated in a food market near the lab.
Gabbard's successor, Jay Clayton, a former SEC chairman, faces delays in his confirmation as Trump holds up the nomination to pressure Congress on voter identification measures.