A group of 17 state attorneys general has launched an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci’s actions during the COVID-19 response, arguing that a pardon issued by former President Joe Biden does not prevent state-level accountability. The coalition, led by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, is requesting access to federal findings that could aid their efforts.
The attorneys general sent a formal letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, asking for any relevant evidence uncovered in congressional investigations. They argue that while Biden’s pardon shields Fauci from federal charges, it does not extend to state-level legal action.
A December 2024 report from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic raised multiple concerns about Fauci’s role in the federal response. The report accuses him of misleading Congress about gain-of-function research funding at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and working to suppress the lab leak theory despite mounting evidence supporting it.
Fauci has previously denied that the 5]
+99funded such research, but congressional investigators concluded that money was directed to Wuhan through EcoHealth Alliance. Lawmakers had recommended criminal charges before Biden intervened with a full pardon.
In his final days in office, Biden praised Fauci’s work in public health, crediting him with playing a key role in addressing crises such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19. The attorneys general, however, contend that his handling of the pandemic warrants further scrutiny.
Attorneys general from Texas, Florida, Missouri, and several other states are participating in the investigation. They have pledged to examine whether any violations of state laws occurred and to take appropriate legal action if necessary.
