Seventeen state attorneys general are joining forces to investigate Dr. Anthony Fauci’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic response, vowing to pursue state-level prosecutions to bypass the protections of his federal pardon.
Led by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, the AGs are “demanding accountability for alleged mismanagement, misleading statements, and suppression of scientific debate,” according to a press release from Wilson’s office.
While Dr. Fauci’s federal pardon protects him from prosecution at the national level, it does not shield him from state-level charges or civil lawsuits. The coalition of AGs has made it clear they are prepared to prosecute Fauci if violations of state laws are uncovered.
The attorneys general formalized their intentions in a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, requesting full cooperation to pursue any state law violations related to Dr. Fauci’s pandemic management.
“President Biden’s blanket pardon of Dr. Fauci is a shameful attempt to prevent accountability,” said AG Wilson. “If any of these findings indicate violations of state laws, we are fully prepared to take appropriate action to ensure justice is served.”
The AGs’ letter follows the release of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic’s final report. The report outlines significant failures and potential misconduct by high-ranking officials, including Dr. Fauci.
Citing misleading public statements about COVID-19’s origins, mismanagement of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, and efforts to suppress scientific debate surrounding vaccine risks, the subcommittee report alleges that Dr. Fauci:
- Discredited the lab leak theory despite supporting evidence,
- Misled Congress about NIH-funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology,
- Oversaw NIH’s mismanagement of taxpayer funds directed to EcoHealth Alliance,
- Suppressed scientific dissent regarding vaccine safety.
“Despite these findings, former President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for Dr. Fauci, shielding him from federal prosecution for any offenses committed during his tenure,” the press release states. “However, the attorneys general assert that this federal pardon does not prevent state-level legal action.”
You can read the full letter here.
The coalition has formally asked Congress to provide any relevant findings from federal investigations that “could lead to state investigations and potential prosecutions.”
This unprecedented move underscores growing demands for accountability in the aftermath of the pandemic—and signals that, pardon or not, legal scrutiny for Dr. Fauci is far from over.
Letter signatories:
- Alan Wilson, Attorney General of South Carolina
- Jonathan Skrmetti, Attorney General of Tennessee
- John Guard, Acting Attorney General of Florida
- Liz Murrill, Attorney General of Louisiana
- Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas
- Steve Marshall, Attorney General of Alabama
- Raúl Labrador, Attorney General of Idaho
- Drew Wrigley, Attorney General of North Dakota
- Derek E. Brown, Attorney General of Utah
- Todd Rokita, Attorney General of Indiana
- Marty Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota
- Tim Griffin, Attorney General of Arkansas
- Austin Knudson, Attorney General of Montana
- Andrew Bailey, Attorney General of Missouri
- Kris Kobach, Attorney General of Kansas
- John B. McCuskey, Attorney General of West Virginia
- Mike Hilgers, Attorney General of Nebraska
