Senator John Kennedy, R-La., stated on Tuesday that the federal indictment of former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases adviser Dr. David Morens indicates a deliberate attempt to conceal information related to U.S.-funded research during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kennedy noted that early allegations involving former NIH Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and his associates have gained credibility.
“I remember when these allegations first surfaced about Dr. Fauci and the other minions, and we were all told that it’s a conspiracy theory and we’re all a bunch of nuts,” Kennedy said. “We now know we’re going to have to get some new conspiracy theories because all the old ones turned out to be true.”
Morens was charged with federal offenses including conspiracy against the United States, destruction and concealment of federal records, and making false statements.
Prosecutors allege that Morens and others sought to evade transparency laws such as the Freedom of Information Act during the pandemic. According to the indictment, Morens used personal email accounts for official business to avoid disclosure.
In one April 2020 email, Morens wrote: “Please send all replies here to Gmail,” adding there were “things I can’t say” over official channels. In another message, he stated: “I need to keep this correspondence off govt emails … for obvious reasons,” citing multiple FOIA requests.
Prosecutors further allege that the group accomplished their objective by keeping discussions on Morens’ Gmail account so communications would not be available in response to FOIA requests.
Kennedy highlighted the scope of the case, suggesting additional charges could follow. “I’ve read enough to know that these gentlemen — one indicted and two unindicted coconspirators who will be indicted — they’re in a lot of trouble,” he said.
The indictment references communications with EcoHealth Alliance and its president, Peter Daszak, whose organization received U.S. funding for coronavirus research involving partners in Wuhan, China.
Kennedy stated that the allegations suggest an attempt to obscure key details about the research. “It looks to me like, at least as pleaded, that they were trying to hide the facts that they were conducting gain-of-function research in China using American taxpayer dollars,” he said.
He also raised questions about Fauci’s awareness: “They imply in the emails, I don’t know if it’s true or not, that Dr. Fauci knew all about it.”
Kennedy noted that Fauci was pardoned by former President Joe Biden on Biden’s last day in office from any crimes committed between January 1, 2014, and January 24, 2024, despite having never been charged with a crime.
The pardon relates to Fauci’s service as NIH director, member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and chief medical adviser to the president.
