State Attorneys General Re-Open Criminal Probe Into Dr. Fauci Despite Biden’s Pardon

A coalition of 17 state attorneys general have moved to investigate Dr. Anthony Fauci’s role in the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic response, even after he received a pre-emotive pardon from former President Biden. Numerous lawmakers have accused the former COVID czar of mismanagement and lying to Congress.

Led by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, the group sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) requesting all relevant information from federal investigations that could aid the state probes into Fauci’s conduct.

“Certainly, one potential tool at our disposal is the referral of any pertinent findings to state officials. As you are aware, a pardon by former President Biden does not extend to preclude state-level investigations or legal proceedings,” they wrote. “As state Attorneys General, we possess the authority to address violations of state law or breaches of public trust. We are fully committed to investigating any malfeasance that may have occurred to the fullest extent of our authority and are prepared to collaborate with you in further efforts.”

The attorneys general specifically referenced a report released by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in December 2024, which detailed numerous inconsistencies in the U.S. COVID-19 response and misconduct on the part of numerous officials, including Fauci.

According to the report, Fauci actively worked to discredit the lab leak theory despite evidence supporting it. He is also accused of lying to Congress about the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute Of Virology.

Lawmakers previously recommended criminal charges against Fauci on the latter accusation, though former President Biden opted to pardon him anyway during the final hours of his presidency. The former president praised Fauci for “sav[ing] countless lives by managing the government’s response to pressing health crises, including HIV/AIDS, as well as the Ebola and Zika viruses.”

“During his tenure as my Chief Medical Advisor, he helped the country tackle a once-in-a-century pandemic. The United States is safer and healthier because of him,” Biden said. 

In the letter addressed to Congress, the attorneys general suggested that Biden’s preemptive pardon amounts to an admission of guilt. “President Biden’s blanket pardon of Dr. Fauci is a shameful attempt to prevent accountability,” said Attorney General Wilson. “If any of these findings indicate violations of state laws, we are fully prepared to take appropriate action to ensure justice is served.”

While Biden’s pardon of Fauci will exempt him from federal prosecution, he could still face charges at the state level.

“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. However, the attorneys general assert that this federal pardon does not prevent state-level legal action,” the letter continued. “The attorneys general have requested that Congress provide them with any relevant findings that could lead to state investigations and potential prosecutions. They reaffirm their commitment to upholding public trust, ensuring transparency, and preventing similar failures in future public health crises.”