Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released declassified documents Thursday spotlighting Dr. Anthony Fauci's role in discussions surrounding the government's COVID-19 origins review, using one of her final acts atop the intelligence community before leaving office.
The release includes newly declassified materials showing that intelligence officials considered but ultimately rejected Fauci as an outside reviewer of their COVID-19 origins assessment, warning he would be seen as having a conflict of interest. Internal emails reveal debates among officials over whether to take Fauci's recommendations on who to interview for the study.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats have joined Republicans in expressing concerns about Bill Pulte, the interim ODNI director appointed by President Trump. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal, Gary Peters, Adam Schiff, Mark Warner and Ron Wyden voiced concerns that Pulte would weaponize America's intelligence apparatus against political opponents.
Senate Intelligence Committee member Senator Ron Wyden said that placing someone without intelligence experience in such a sensitive role raises serious national security concerns. The Democratic senators also echoed Republican critiques regarding Pulte's lack of relevant expertise.
"We don't need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there," Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune said of Pulte. While Thune is a Republican, his sentiment was cited alongside Democratic objections in the source reporting.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative Republicans have also raised concerns about Pulte's qualifications while supporting Trump's right to appoint acting officials. Senators Cornyn, Cassidy, Murkowski, Collins and Tillis have voiced opposition to or concern over Pulte taking control of ODNI during his interim tenure.
Gabbard's release of the Fauci documents aligns with ongoing Republican investigations into COVID-19 origins. The documents show internal debates about whether intelligence officials should follow recommendations from what one official called a "policymaker" like Fauci when conducting their review.
A CIA whistleblower previously alleged that Fauci exerted undue influence over the intelligence community's assessment of COVID-19's origins, claims Gabbard's release appears designed to amplify as she exits her position.
What the Numbers Show
Jay Clayton, Trump's permanent nominee for ODNI director, has seen his confirmation process delayed after President Trump said he was holding up the nomination to pressure Congress to pass voter identification legislation. The president's decision creates uncertainty about when a permanent intelligence chief will be confirmed.
Pulte served as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency before being appointed to lead the Office of Director of National Intelligence on an interim basis. His tenure at FHFA has drawn controversy over allegations that he used agency authority to target Trump's political opponents, according to reporting from multiple sources.
Eight Senate Democrats and at least six Republican senators have publicly expressed concerns about Pulte's qualifications or raised objections to his appointment, representing unusual bipartisan opposition to a presidential intelligence nominee.
The Bottom Line
The release of the Fauci documents marks Gabbard's closing legacy as DNI, emphasizing questions she pursued throughout her tenure regarding COVID-19 origins and federal support for virus research. Meanwhile, the succession battle at ODNI remains unresolved with Pulte serving in an acting capacity while Clayton's permanent nomination is held up.
Political observers note that Clayton would likely face less opposition from senators than Pulte has encountered. However, the upper chamber has so far proven unwilling to advance the president's voter identification legislation, complicating his confirmation path and setting the stage for continued tension between the White House and Congress over intelligence leadership.