Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed [1] this week that the Office of the DNI is actively investigating whether U.S. taxpayer dollars helped fund gain-of-function research linked to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The disclosure was made during a wide-ranging interview with journalist Megyn Kelly.
Gabbard appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show to discuss several key issues, including internal leaks within the administration, her potential political future, and new developments in the inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 virus.
While she did not rule out a future presidential run, it was her comments regarding gain-of-function research and Dr. Anthony Fauci that drew the most attention.
“We are working with Jay Bhattacharya, as well as Secretary Robert Kennedy, on looking at the gain-of-function research that occurred at the Wuhan Lab, and others around the world,” Gabbard told Kelly.
“Many of these biolabs were U.S.-funded and contributed to dangerous research that, in several cases, has either led to a pandemic or a serious health crisis.”
Gain-of-function research involves modifying organisms to enhance their ability to cause disease. The technique is controversial, especially in the context of global health security and bioweapons concerns.
Kelly responded by citing Dr. Peter Daszak’s research and the so-called “Wuhan bat lady,” suggesting that U.S. support for this research could directly implicate Fauci.
“If it was Peter Daszak’s research with the Wuhan bat lady that caused this pandemic, then we did fund it, Anthony Fauci did fund it,” Kelly said.
Gabbard confirmed the concern and connected it to Fauci’s actions before leaving office.
“The thing that he denied over and over to Senator Rand Paul’s questioning under oath,” Gabbard said.
“Is it any wonder why he sought a preemptive pardon for ANYTHING, during a certain period of time, from President Biden before he left office?”
Fauci has repeatedly denied under oath that the National Institutes of Health funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
However, Gabbard pointed to the preemptive pardon, which she said raises serious questions about potential liability.
Kelly referenced the backlash against early critics of the lab-leak theory, including Stanford professor Jay Bhattacharya, whose skepticism was widely criticized. Gabbard said such suppression was part of a broader pattern of political targeting.
“I got attacked when I warned against U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine when the Russia-Ukraine war kicked off,” Gabbard added.
“I was called a Russian asset… All of this, for merely speaking the truth and stating facts that are still on the U.S.’s Ukraine website today about how the U.S. has funded these biolabs.”
Questions have also been raised about the validity of Fauci’s pardon.
Some reports indicate the pardon was signed using an autopen, which could be relevant in determining the legal weight of the document if challenged in court.
According to Gabbard, this may open a legal path for federal charges despite the pardon.
HOLY SH*T!! We know why Fauci requested a preemptive pardon!
The biolabs in Ukraine are REAL!
Tulsi Gabbard: “We are working with Jay Bhattacharya, the new NIH director on this, as well as Secretary Kennedy is looking at the gain of function research that in the case of the… pic.twitter.com/jvlM0SgjRD [2]
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) May 1, 2025 [3]
In March, The Gateway Pundit reported that several states — including Arizona, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma — submitted criminal referral requests involving Fauci and others.
The referrals reportedly accuse them of offenses ranging from medical coercion to more serious allegations including murder and terrorism, tied to decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gabbard’s investigation into the origins of the virus and U.S. involvement in funding overseas biolabs is ongoing.
If her office uncovers direct links between U.S. funding, gain-of-function research, and the pandemic, legal consequences for Fauci and others could follow.