Summarised by Centrist
President Joe Biden’s preemptive pardon of Dr Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since January 1, 2014, has renewed controversy over his role in gain-of-function research.
The pardon, issued as Biden left office, coincides with the Obama-era pause on such research and shields Fauci from allegations tied to US funding of China’s Wuhan lab, where many believe COVID may have originated.
Biden defended the unprecedented clemency, stating, “I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
Critics argue the pardon raises questions about Fauci’s oversight. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul declared, “If there was ever any doubt as to who bears responsibility for the COVID pandemic, Biden’s pardon of Fauci forever seals the deal.”
Robby Soave, speaking on The Hill’s Rising, noted this is not necessarily a partisan issue as Democratic President Barack Obama had called for a moratorium on gain-of-function research that year, citing its risks.
Soave suggested the pardon’s timeframe raises suspicions about whether Fauci approved exceptions during the pause, especially given Fauci’s deposition admitting some projects were allowed to continue under “special circumstances.”
Former US attorney John Fishwick remarked, “It was a sad day for Lady Justice no matter which side of the political spectrum you’re on,” as both presidents appeared to signal distrust in the criminal justice system.
