Dr. Anthony Fauci is now under scrutiny at the state level as 17 attorneys general have launched an investigation into his handling of the COVID-19 response. The move comes despite a preemptive pardon issued by former President Joe Biden, which shields Fauci from federal prosecution but does not prevent state-level legal action.
The effort is being led by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who, along with his colleagues, sent a letter to Congress requesting access to any federal findings that could aid their inquiry. They argue that Biden’s pardon was an attempt to avoid accountability and insist that state governments have the power to act independently.
A December 2024 report from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is central to the investigation. The report alleges that Fauci worked to suppress discussions of the lab leak theory despite growing evidence supporting it. It also accuses him of misleading Congress about the National Institutes of Health’s involvement in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The attorneys general stated that they are committed to reviewing Fauci’s actions to determine whether any state laws were violated. “President Biden’s blanket pardon of Dr. Fauci is a shameful attempt to prevent accountability,” Wilson said. “If any of these findings indicate violations of state laws, we are fully prepared to take appropriate action to ensure justice is served.”
Biden defended Fauci in his final days in office, crediting him with guiding the nation through public health crises, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the Ebola outbreak. However, Fauci’s critics argue that his handling of the COVID-19 response raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
Attorneys general from states including Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Tennessee have joined the investigation. They have asked Congress to share all relevant documents that could assist in determining potential legal violations.
