A two-year congressional investigation concluded that the coronavirus that caused millions of deaths “most likely” leaked from a Chinese lab where researchers were manipulating the virus.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic criticized U.S. health officials, particularly Dr. Anthony Fauci, for discrediting the lab-leak theory and promoting a natural origin explanation that does not align with the evidence, The Washington Times reported.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup highlighted timing, unexplained illnesses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and the virus’s biological characteristics as strong indicators of a manmade origin.
The report also criticized the U.S. pandemic response, stating that measures like the 6-foot social distancing rule lacked scientific grounding, mask mandates had limited impact, and sweeping lockdowns caused economic damage and mental health issues.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a distrust in leadership,” Wenstrup, an Ohio Republican, said. “Trust is earned. Accountability, transparency, honesty, and integrity will regain this trust. A future pandemic requires a whole of America response managed by those without personal benefit or bias.”
The subcommittee’s 557-page report, to be voted on later this week, marks five years since the first coronavirus cases emerged in China.
The first U.S. case was reported on January 20, 2020, with President Trump declaring a national emergency on March 13.
This was followed by his “15 days to slow the spread” plan, which evolved into extended lockdowns that closed schools and offices for months.