FBI Director Kash Patel announced a major breakthrough in the investigation of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s pandemic decision-making, with the agency recovering electronic devices used by the former health official during the Trump administration’s COVID-19 response.
At a Glance
- FBI Director Kash Patel revealed on Joe Rogan’s podcast that the agency has recovered phones and devices used by Dr. Anthony Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic
- The recovered devices may contain evidence related to Fauci’s pandemic decisions and the origins of COVID-19
- Fauci previously admitted some COVID guidelines lacked scientific evidence and the NIH later acknowledged funding gain-of-function research
- Patel emphasized the importance of determining whether Fauci intentionally misled the public
- Fauci reportedly received a preemptive pardon from President Biden before leaving office
FBI Recovers Fauci’s Electronic Devices
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into COVID-19 origins and response, FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that the agency has obtained electronic devices used by Dr. Anthony Fauci during the early pandemic period. The revelation came during Patel’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where he described the discovery as a major breakthrough in efforts to understand Fauci’s role in pandemic decision-making. According to Patel, these devices had been sought by investigators for some time but were only located this week.
“We just had a great breakthrough this week on Fauci. So, Senator Rand Paul, Senator Kennedy, and I hate to name names because I was forget people, are doing a great job with us on COVID origins. And we’ve got multiple investigations open on that, but they had always been looking for Fauci’s original phone, or not original, but phones and devices he used while he was Fauci back in Trump One during COVID, and nobody had found it till two days ago.”, said Patel.
The devices are expected to provide crucial insights into Fauci’s communications during the critical early months of the pandemic, potentially shedding light on decisions regarding public health guidance, research funding, and information shared with the American public. Patel indicated that the FBI is now in the process of examining these devices as part of multiple ongoing investigations into COVID-19 origins.
Controversial Pandemic Guidance Under Scrutiny
The investigation comes amid lingering questions about Dr. Fauci’s pandemic guidance and statements. According to reports, Fauci previously acknowledged that some COVID-19 guidelines were not based on concrete scientific evidence. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health later admitted to funding gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, contradicting Fauci’s testimony before Congress where he stated unequivocally that such funding had not occurred.
Critics have alleged that Fauci concealed emails suggesting the virus might have been man-made and potentially used NIAID funds inappropriately. There are also allegations that he downplayed potentially effective treatments like hydroxychloroquine while promoting mass vaccination despite concerns about side effects. These controversies have fueled demands for greater transparency and accountability regarding pandemic decision-making.
Patel’s New Direction at the FBI
The investigation into Fauci’s pandemic role comes amid significant changes at the FBI under Patel’s leadership. Since taking over the bureau, Patel has implemented substantial organizational changes, including the redeployment of approximately 1,500 FBI personnel from Washington, D.C., to field offices across the country. This decentralization effort has generally received support from former FBI officials, despite concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge.
“We need their expertise in your states, in your counties, in your towns because the threat to this country in 2025 is everywhere, and we cannot quarterback that mission from Washington, D.C., alone.”, added Kash Patel.
Patel has shifted the bureau’s priorities toward violent crime, homeland defense, and immigration enforcement, with most field officers now involved in immigration-related matters. Meanwhile, the FBI has reduced its focus on white-collar crime, even disbanding the Public Corruption Squad—a move that has raised concerns among some former officials who question who will handle such investigations if not the FBI.
Investigation Aims for Public Accountability
In discussing the Fauci investigation, Patel emphasized that the primary goal is to determine whether the former health official intentionally misled the American public during the pandemic. The FBI director suggested that the recovered devices could contain critical evidence about Fauci’s knowledge, decisions, and communications regarding the pandemic response and potentially the origins of the virus itself.
Complicating the investigation is the report that Fauci received a preemptive pardon from President Biden on his last day in office. However, the FBI is proceeding with its examination of the devices to uncover the facts about COVID-19 origins and the federal government’s pandemic response, which Patel described as a matter of significant public interest regardless of potential legal implications.