Fauci Under Investigation Over Gain-of-Function Funding

Former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is drawing renewed scrutiny amid allegations that he used federal funding to support so-called “gain-of-function” research at the Wuhan lab. The research in question involves modifying viruses to study how they spread or become more dangerous.

Tulsi Gabbard, now serving as Director of National Intelligence, is leading efforts to dig deeper into possible lab origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her office is collaborating with NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on a review of gain-of-function research funded by U.S. agencies.

On The Megyn Kelly Show, Gabbard said, “In the case of the Wuhan lab, as well as many other bio labs around the world, [research] was actually U.S.-funded, and leads to this dangerous kind of research that, in many examples, has resulted in either a pandemic or some other major health crisis.”

She emphasized the importance of ending such research: “In order to prevent another COVID-like pandemic … we have to end this gain-of-function research.” This aligns with broader policy shifts: a new administration webpage now supports the lab-leak theory and criticizes Fauci for downplaying NIH’s role.

Senator Rand Paul has refiled a criminal referral seeking a Justice Department investigation into Fauci’s 2021 testimony before Congress. He claims Fauci misled lawmakers when he insisted that “NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute.” Paul notes that a 2023 House investigation unearthed emails indicating the NIH was aware such research took place, suggesting Fauci’s testimony may have been misleading.

In January 2025, President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Fauci and other senior officials. The pardon is now part of a broader controversy: many of these clemency documents were signed using an autopen—a mechanical device—raising doubts about their validity. Critics argue that a pardon granted via autopen could be challenged in court. Senator Paul is betting on that possibility to revive potential perjury charges.

The autopen controversy remains central. Biden insists every clemency decision was his, though not personally signed, and maintains that using the autopen is lawful and not unprecedented. Opponents, including Sen. Paul and several legal analysts, argue that the practice may violate federal rule requiring presidential signature—and, if invalidated, could reopen legal accountability for Fauci.

If the courts deem the autopen pardon invalid, Fauci could face renewed legal jeopardy for alleged perjury and other actions. Meanwhile, Gabbard’s probe will bring new attention to U.S.-funded lab research and reshape future biosecurity rules.

Regardless of the outcome, the investigation will doubtless affect public trust in health leadership and the boundaries of scientific research—trust already severely damaged by the events of the last five years.

A clip of DNI Gabbard discussing the investigation is HERE and below:

The full Gabbard/Megan Kelly interview is available on YouTube and below: