Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released newly declassified documents related to the origins of COVID-19, research funding and actions taken by Dr. Anthony Fauci and other intelligence community members during and after the pandemic.

The Details: The documents were published on June 18, and according to Gabbard, "expose how Fauci worked with politicized leadership in the Intelligence Community to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus' lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research." Newsweek (Center bias) reported the release is part of a yearlong declassification review, including internal communications, whistleblower allegations and intelligence-related material tied to debates over how the coronavirus pandemic began, according to The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

The Allegations: In a statement, ODNI said that Fauci oversaw funding that supported coronavirus research involving bat viruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Gabbard also accused Fauci of lying under oath to Congress in 2024 by denying he had knowledge or participated in discussions with intelligence officials about COVID-19 research, including research done at the Wuhan Institute. The documents also show how intelligence community officials reportedly suppressed dissenting views, including views that were supportive of the lab-leak theory. According to the Jerusalem Post (Center), the documents said the research was being done, in part, to create interventions to prevent the spread of such viruses.

How the Media Covered It: The story was covered primarily by outlets on the right and some in the center. AllSides did not find coverage from the left. Outlets on the right emphasized the accusations against Fauci, reporting them as fact, while outlets in the center emphasized these were claims from the ODNI documents. 

From the Right: Fox Business (Lean Right) interviewed Republican leaders who said Fauci must be held accountable for lying to Congress. Outkick (Lean Right) emphasized the lack of media coverage surrounding the documents, writing, "Whatever their motivation…to capitalize on widespread fear, major media outlets almost immediately abandoned any pretense of journalism" in the face of COVID by not "asking tough questions" and "treating experts with skepticism." The Federalist (Right) quoted more of the sinister words used in the documents to describe Fauci's role in the pandemic, including that he was funding "risky coronavirus research," "working as a "behind-the-scenes advisor" alongside his "hand-picked experts" and that he helped push "lies" and "censorship" as the country's leading Covid "pundit."

From the Center: Newsweek said the release was the latest step in the Trump administration's effort to "revisit decisions made during the pandemic and scrutinize intelligence and scientific processes." It also emphasized that US intelligence agencies have not reached a definitive conclusion on the origins of COVID-19.

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