Washington: Outgoing US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has released a series of newly declassified documents that she claims reveal how Dr Anthony Fauci, former chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and the United States' leading infectious disease expert, funded research at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology and influenced intelligence assessments on the origins of COVID-19. 

The disclosures, unveiled on what Gabbard described as her final day in office, have reignited debate over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and intensified scrutiny of Fauci, who served as the US government's leading infectious disease adviser for decades.

According to Gabbard and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the documents contain previously undisclosed communications that allegedly link Fauci to US-funded coronavirus research at the Wuhan laboratory and suggest he was involved in discussions with intelligence officials regarding the pandemic's origins.

"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. It's time you know the truth," Gabbard said.

Documents allege funding for Wuhan research

The ODNI said the records indicate that Fauci, while serving as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), oversaw the distribution of millions of dollars in US taxpayer funds for research involving bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

According to the intelligence office, the laboratory research is now regarded by many as a potential source of an accidental leak that may have triggered the global pandemic. The agency further alleged that Fauci collaborated with senior intelligence officials to minimise scrutiny of both the research and his involvement in funding it.

The ODNI described Fauci as occupying multiple influential roles during the pandemic, including government-funded researcher, adviser to intelligence agencies and one of the most prominent public voices on pandemic policy.

Claims of influence over intelligence assessments

A central allegation in the document release is that Fauci helped shape official intelligence conclusions regarding the virus's origins.

According to the ODNI, Fauci relied on scientists whose work had been funded through NIAID grants. Their assessments were then incorporated into intelligence analyses, which were later cited publicly as evidence supporting a natural origin theory and rejecting the possibility of a laboratory leak.

The agency characterised the process as a "self-serving circular reporting loop" that reinforced existing narratives while marginalising alternative explanations.

The office also alleged that Fauci promoted scientific work that was later used by intelligence agencies as supporting evidence against the lab-leak hypothesis.

"Throughout the pandemic, Fauci and politicised leaders within the IC created a self-serving circular reporting loop. He provided hand-picked NIAID-funded scientists to advise the IC. This input shaped official intelligence assessments, which were then publicly cited as scientific consensus to refute the lab-leak theory," the ODNI said.

Accusations of misleading congress

The newly released material also focuses on Fauci's congressional testimony in 2024.

According to the ODNI, Fauci was questioned under oath about whether he had communicated with US intelligence agencies regarding viral research before, during or after the pandemic. The agency claims his answers conflict with information contained in the declassified documents.

The office said Fauci was asked whether he had engaged with agencies including the FBI, CIA and Defence Intelligence Agency on matters related to coronavirus research.

According to the ODNI, Fauci responded: "not to my knowledge about COVID."

Gabbard's office argues that the documents demonstrate a greater level of involvement than Fauci acknowledged publicly.

Whistleblowers allege retaliation

The declassification review also included testimony from intelligence community whistleblowers.

According to the ODNI, several analysts who supported the lab-leak theory or challenged prevailing assessments claimed they faced professional repercussions. The allegations include intimidation, marginalisation and career setbacks for those who questioned official conclusions regarding the virus's origins.

The office said these actions discouraged dissenting views and limited debate within the intelligence community during a critical period of the pandemic.

Gabbard calls for accountability

Gabbard said the documents expose what she described as years of misinformation and concealment surrounding the pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of our fellow Americans and for countless people around the world. After years of lies, censorship, and cover ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability," she said.

She also accused Fauci and intelligence officials of concealing information for political and personal reasons.

"The tactics 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 vital facts needed to keep the country safe. It's time the American people learn the real story."

Fauci's long-running role in the pandemic debate

Fauci, who led NIAID for nearly four decades before retiring in 2022, has remained a polarising figure since the pandemic.

Critics, particularly on the American political right, have frequently questioned his handling of COVID-19 and his position on the virus's origins. Fauci has consistently denied allegations that he intentionally concealed information and has previously linked threats against himself and his family to conspiracy theories surrounding the pandemic.

There was no immediate response from Fauci following the release of the latest documents.

Biden's pre-emptive pardon

The renewed scrutiny comes more than a year after former President Joe Biden granted Fauci a pre-emptive pardon during his final hours in office in January 2025.

At the time, Biden defended the move as a safeguard against politically driven investigations.

"These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing," Biden said.

"Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families," he added.

Biden stressed that the pardon should not be interpreted as proof of misconduct.

"The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense."

Part of a wider declassification drive

The Fauci disclosures are the latest in a broader transparency campaign launched by Gabbard during her tenure as intelligence chief.

Earlier this month, the ODNI released separate documents alleging that the US government had funded more than 120 biological laboratories across over 30 countries, including facilities in Ukraine. The agency claimed some of the laboratories conducted research involving dangerous pathogens and gain-of-function experiments.

"Despite the obvious potential for catastrophic global impact research on dangerous pathogens in biolabs can have, politicians, so-called health professionals like Dr. Fauci, and entities within the Biden administration's national security team lied to the American people about the existence of U.S.-funded and supported biolabs, and threatened those who attempted to expose the truth," Gabbard said in the earlier release.

Gabbard preparing to leave office

The document release comes as Gabbard prepares to step down from her position at the end of June.

According to reports, she informed President Donald Trump that she would leave government service to support her husband, Abraham Williams, who is undergoing treatment for a rare form of bone cancer.

"At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle," Gabbard said.

Her resignation is scheduled to take effect on June 30, after which Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte is expected to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence while continuing in his current role.

(With agency inputs)