Fauci has ‘completely open mind’ on COVID-19 lab leak theory, says evidence points ‘strongly’ elsewhere

Dr. Anthony Fauci says he has a “completely open mind” about the origins of COVID-19, but added that scientific evidence “strongly” suggests it did not leak out of a lab.

Fauci made the comments during an appearance Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Host Margaret Brennan asked Fauci about China’s transparency regarding the origins of COVID-19 and how the country’s main Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was handling calls for investigation from around the world.

“We’re completely open-minded about what the source is,” Fauci said. “Having said that, if we look at the examination of highly qualified international scientists without political agendas, who have published in peer-reviewed journals, that all the accumulated evidence, especially in relation to the Chinese bringing animals into the Wuhan market. of nature that shouldn’t have been there… the evidence is pretty strong that this is a natural occurrence.”

“Does that mean we’ve ruled out that there was something funny that got leaked? Absolutely [not]”, he added. “Me and all my colleagues are absolutely open-minded. We must investigate all possibilities, because this is too important not to do. This is not inconsistent with saying that the scientific evidence still far outweighs that this is a natural fact.”

FAUCI admits that “CERTAIN ASPECTS” OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE to COVID-19 were “mistaken”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Fauci criticized China’s lack of transparency about the origins of COVID-19, arguing that its refusal to cooperate raised suspicion when there may be no reason for it. However, he could not accuse China of a “cover-up”.

As Fauci steps down from his position as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in December, Republicans are sure to keep him on Capitol Hill with hearings. GOP lawmakers have called for investigations into Fauci’s handling of the pandemic, as well as his interactions with Chinese health authorities.

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Fauci said he is more than willing to testify before the House, as he has done many times before. However, he did take a dig at Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., noting that his longtime critic would not be able to summon him as Republicans failed to take control of the Senate in mid-term elections.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House Chief Medical Advisor and Director of the NIAID, makes opening statements during a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
(Photo by GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images | Photographer: Greg Nash/The Hill/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Fauci sometimes bristled at questions from Paul, who himself promised to investigate Fauci more when he won re-election on Nov. 8.

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“Not only will I hold Dr. Fauci accountable, but we will finally investigate why your tax dollars were sent to fund dangerous research in Wuhan,” Paul said in his victory speech. “I promise you this: The COVID cover-up will end.”