In a recent episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed a significant development in the ongoing investigations into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He revealed that the FBI had finally located the phones and devices used by Anthony Fauci during his tenure in the first Trump administration. Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been accused by the White House of assisting in concealing the probable lab origins of COVID-19.
According to The Blaze, the FBI's breakthrough is particularly linked to Fauci, whose name has been frequently mentioned by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and congressional investigators in discussions about misinformation surrounding gain-of-function research. Patel cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the content of the devices, but assured that the FBI would thoroughly examine them.
In relation to the potential significance of the discovery of these devices, Dr. Richard H. Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University and a vocal critic of Fauci's involvement with gain-of-function research, stated, "Fauci violated federal policies on gain-of-function and enhanced potential pandemic pathogen research, committed conspiracy to defraud and perjury, used federal funds to commit crimes, and caused and covered up the cause of a pandemic that killed 20 million and cost $25 trillion."
The World Health Organization reports over 7 million COVID-19 deaths, but The Economist's machine-learning model estimates the actual number could be two to four times higher, potentially exceeding 20 million.
Ebright was among the scientists who last year called for accountability over attempts to manipulate the origin narrative of the virus. They demanded the retraction of a paper published by Nature Medicine on March 17, 2020, which Fauci allegedly commissioned and used to promote the zoonotic origin theory. Ebright suggested that any files relevant to Fauci's role in the pandemic and its cover-up could be valuable in documenting and prosecuting those responsible.
The FBI was contacted by Blaze News for comment and clarification but did not respond before publication.
In the same interview, Rogan questioned Patel about the potential impact of the pardons issued in former President Joe Biden's name on Fauci's accountability for his misleading claim to Congress that "the NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology." Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has referred Fauci to the Department of Justice for prosecution three times over his statements. "Clearly he was being deceptive," Rogan said to Patel.
Fauci received a "full and unconditional" pre-emptive pardon for possible federal crimes dating back to Jan. 1, 2014, around the time the Obama administration allegedly stopped funding for dangerous gain-of-function research. Patel explained that the decision to apply the pardon would be up to the Department of Justice.
However, this pardon is now under intense scrutiny. President Donald Trump declared in March that the pardons were "VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT." DOJ pardon attorney Ed Martin announced last month that he is reviewing the questionable "autopen" pardons issued in the final days of the Biden White House. The House Oversight Committee is also investigating autopen use in the Biden White House.
Even if Fauci's pardon holds, information obtained by the FBI from the alleged devices could potentially be used in legal actions at the state level. In February, over 16 state attorneys general initiated an investigation into Fauci's role in the COVID-19 pandemic response, "demanding accountability for alleged mismanagement, misleading statements, and suppression of scientific debate." They emphasized in their letter to Congress that the "pardon by former President Biden does not extend to preclude state-level investigations or legal proceedings."
The discovery of Fauci's devices and the ongoing investigations into his role in the pandemic response underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in public health crises.
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