Seventeen state attorneys general have launched a formal investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci’s handling of the COVID-19 response, despite a pardon from former President Joe Biden. The coalition, led by Attorney General Alan Wilson, is examining whether Fauci’s actions violated state laws or undermined public trust.
In a letter to congressional leaders, the attorneys general requested any findings from federal investigations that could support state-level legal action. They argued that Biden’s sweeping pardon does not prevent state prosecutors from investigating Fauci’s decisions.
The move comes after a House subcommittee released a report in December 2024, detailing concerns about Fauci’s role in shaping the pandemic response. The report accused Fauci of working to discredit the lab leak theory and misleading Congress about the National Institutes of Health’s funding of gain-of-function research in Wuhan.
“Despite these findings, former President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for Dr. Fauci, shielding him from federal prosecution,” the attorneys general wrote. “However, this federal pardon does not prevent state-level legal action.”
Biden defended Fauci upon granting the pardon, calling him a “trusted expert” who helped guide the country through public health challenges. However, critics argue that the timing of the pardon suggests an attempt to block accountability.
The state attorneys general are expected to review evidence from federal sources before determining potential legal action. Their investigation could focus on the mismanagement of taxpayer funds, suppression of scientific debate, and misleading public statements made during the pandemic.
The coalition, which includes attorneys general from multiple states, remains committed to ensuring accountability, regardless of federal protections.
