Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., released documents on Monday revealing that the FBI intervened to halt a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection of British zoologist Peter Daszak upon his return from a World Health Organization (WHO) investigation into COVID-19's origins. The documents show CBP's National Targeting Center flagged Daszak as a "high person of interest" ahead of his Feb. 5, 2021, arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Daszak, the former president of EcoHealth Alliance, was flagged due to his 15-year collaboration with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), his relationship with its lead researcher Zhengli Shi, and his role in NIH-funded bat coronavirus research in China. CBP officials planned to question Daszak about his activities in China, his contacts at the WIV, and whether he illegally collected or carried biological samples. The NIH had also requested Daszak retrieve a type-specimen used by the WIV for genetic analysis and return it to the U.S.
Paul criticized the FBI's intervention, alleging a cover-up of the lab leak theory. He launched an online portal, The Reading Room, to share documents related to his ongoing investigation. The documents also highlight concerns about Daszak's involvement in gain-of-function research, which involves modifying viruses to study their potential to infect humans.
The FBI's decision to halt the inspection has raised questions about transparency and the handling of information related to COVID-19's origins. Paul has previously accused Dr. Anthony Fauci and other officials of misdirecting the public about the lab leak hypothesis.