The House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is gearing up to question Dr. Anthony Fauci next week, marking his first public testimony since retiring as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in December 2022. This inquiry follows revelations that one of his top aides admitted to hiding or deleting crucial emails related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic during a recent panel appearance.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, a member of the subcommittee, highlighted that the upcoming questioning will focus on the communications between Dr. Fauci and his advisors, particularly the use of personal emails to circumvent transparency laws. Concerns were raised about a secret back channel for communication between Dr. Fauci and Dr. Morins regarding the EcoHealth Alliance, which received NIH funding that ultimately reached the Wuhan lab for potentially controversial gain-of-function research.
The committee is also interested in Dr. Fauci's involvement in approving these grants, as discrepancies emerged between his public statements and closed-door testimonies. Questions have been raised about the transparency and accountability of NIH officials, including the potential misuse of American tax dollars.
During the closed-door testimony in January, excerpts revealed Dr. Fauci's responses on topics such as social distancing and masking for children. The revelation that decisions were made arbitrarily without strong scientific backing has sparked concerns about the impact of such mandates on various aspects of society.
Regarding the Wuhan lab leak theory, Dr. Fauci acknowledged the possibility of a laboratory accident but leaned towards a natural origin based on the evidence he had seen. However, the committee aims to delve deeper into the suppression of the lab leak theory and the need for transparency in understanding the virus's origins to prevent future pandemics.
Congresswoman Malliotakis emphasized the importance of following the facts to determine accountability and potential legal consequences for any misconduct related to the handling of the pandemic. The possibility of criminal charges, including perjury and deletion of government files, remains on the table pending further investigations.
As the subcommittee prepares for Dr. Fauci's public testimony, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the COVID-19 origins and ensuring accountability for any mishandling of information or taxpayer funds.
