Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday that his office has issued a subpoena to former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci as part of a state investigation into Fauci’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during an appearance on Fox News with host John Roberts, Uthmeier said the subpoena was issued under Florida law and seeks a wide range of documents related to Fauci’s actions and public statements during the pandemic.
“We issued a formal subpoena to Dr. Fauci under Florida state law seeking a breadth of documents ranging to what he knew, when he knew it, his doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines that he’s out there promoting,” Uthmeier said.
According to the attorney general, investigators are examining several aspects of Fauci’s conduct, including whether he personally benefited financially from his role during the pandemic.
Uthmeier alleged that Fauci sought financial opportunities after his government service, including book deals and awards.
“He’s trying to pursue book deals, awards get conducted with high rollers that, you know, might help him come into millions and millions of dollars,” Uthmeier said. “This is wrong. And it could go towards a deceptive trade practice fraud, public nuisance, you name it.”
The announcement comes after Fauci testified before the Senate last week, where he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times.
According to the article, Fauci declined to answer questions involving the origins of COVID-19, pandemic lockdown measures, and other topics raised during the hearing.
Following the testimony, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., warned that there would be a vote to hold Fauci in contempt.
Uthmeier argued that Fauci’s repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment raises additional questions, particularly because the former official previously received a presidential pardon from former President Joe Biden.
“It shows me he’s got something to hide,” Uthmeier said. “Clearly he is worried.”
The Florida attorney general argued that a presidential pardon should have allowed Fauci to explain his actions during the pandemic without concern about criminal liability.
“When you get a presidential blanket pardon that should provide immunity where you can talk, you can explain your reasoning. You can explain research,” Uthmeier said.
Uthmeier also referenced Fauci’s diary, saying he believes it demonstrates Fauci had private doubts during the pandemic.
“I think his diary makes clear if he was not competent in that research. He doubted it, he doubted it the entire time,” Uthmeier said. “He didn’t reveal that publicly.”
According to Uthmeier, Fauci instead focused on supporting mandates and lockdowns.
“He was focused on the mandates and the lockdowns because that would sell. It would help get the book deal, the agency wanted to meet, help him to win awards and fame and fortune,” he said.
Uthmeier said those concerns are driving Florida’s investigation into whether Fauci violated any state laws.
“So we have a lot of concerns in Florida,” he said. “We are going to investigate. If he has violated state law we will hold him accountable.”
The attorney general also explained that the inquiry is beginning as a civil investigation but could examine a variety of potential legal issues under Florida law.
“It starts as a civil inquiry, but we’re going to tie in all aspects of Florida common law, things ranging from deceptive trade, fraud, public nuisance,” Uthmeier said. “Nothing is off the table.”
The subpoena marks Florida’s latest legal effort involving Fauci’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Uthmeier, investigators are seeking documents related to Fauci’s knowledge during the public health crisis, his views regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness, and whether any of his actions could have violated Florida law.
The investigation remains ongoing as Florida officials review the information sought through the subpoena and determine whether any further legal action is warranted under state law.
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