Zerohedge: CIA Whistleblower Alleges Fauci Influenced COVID-19 Origins Probe

Summary

A CIA operations officer testified under oath that Dr. Anthony Fauci intentionally influenced the intelligence community's review of COVID-19's origins. The officer, James Erdman III, stated that in August 2021, the intelligence community was close to concluding a lab leak was the most likely origin, but this position reversed days later. Erdman claims Fauci leveraged his position to ensure the intelligence community consulted a biased group of experts, leading intelligence leaders to downplay the lab origin theory and push a natural origin narrative. He testified that CIA scientists had circulated papers supporting a lab leak, but these assessments were ultimately suppressed or softened. Senators questioned the timeline, with some suggesting a 'clean-up operation' by the Biden administration after the 2024 election. The hearing also saw calls for accountability for Fauci, with one senator demanding 'perp walks.' Senate Democrats were notably absent from the public hearing. Additionally, the whistleblower alleged the CIA improperly took back declassification files and illegally monitored investigators.