Quick Hit:

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is facing accusations of perjury following his recent congressional testimony before the House Select Subcommittee on the Origins of the COVID-19 Pandemic Monday. Fauci's statements during the hearing contradicted previous claims, leading to allegations of lying to Congress.

Key Details:

• Fauci denied knowledge of NIH funding to EcoHealth Alliance and claimed ignorance of his senior advisor's actions.
• He refuted allegations of conducting official business via personal email or engaging in secret communications about COVID origins.
• Accusations of perjury have been leveled against Fauci, with calls for his prosecution from Republican Members of Congress such as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who told Fauci, "You belong in prison."

Diving Deeper:

During a heated hearing with the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fauci was grilled about the government's COVID-19 response. He denied having any knowledge of the NIH funding EcoHealth Alliance, a global pandemic prevention nonprofit, and claimed ignorance about his senior advisor, Dr. David Morens, deleting federal records to avoid FOIA requests. "I knew nothing of his actions in assisting Dr. [Peter] Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance," Fauci stated.

However, an uncovered email suggests that Fauci communicated with Daszak through a "back channel" at Boston University. This revelation has led to accusations of perjury, with molecular biologist Richard H. Ebright describing Fauci's testimony as a "parade of perjury." Ebright called for Fauci's prosecution, stating, "Perjury in almost every answer. Fauci needs to be referred for prosecution for perjury."

Fauci also faced questions about his role in suppressing the lab-leak theory during the hearing. Despite initial suspicions from several scientists about a lab leak in February 2020, these suspicions were quickly dismissed following a conference call with Fauci and NIH director Dr. Francis Collins. Fauci's testimony has been criticized as dishonest, with Francis Boyle, a professor of international law at the University of Illinois, stating, "Fauci has already lied and perjured himself before Congress. He should have been prosecuted already."

The Subcommittee has requested access to Fauci's personal email and cellphone records as part of their investigation. However, some experts believe that holding Fauci accountable may be a futile effort. "Fauci can lie to Congress with impunity because the only way to indict him for perjury is the Justice Department," wrote former State Dept. cyber security expert Mike Benz.