The United States Government has released a series of declassified documents alleging former top American health official Anthony Fauci funded coronavirus research linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China and later misled Congress about his involvement with US intelligence agencies.

The documents were released by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who said they were uncovered during a year long declassification review ordered under President Donald Trump’s transparency agenda.

Gabbard claims the material shows Fauci worked closely with senior figures in the American intelligence community to shape official assessments about the origins of COVID 19 and downplay the possibility that the virus originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan.

The documents also allege Fauci provided millions of US taxpayer dollars through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to support coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology before the pandemic.

According to the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the newly released correspondence contradicts Fauci’s sworn testimony before a congressional committee in 2024.

The agency claims Fauci denied knowledge of discussions with American intelligence agencies about coronavirus research, despite documents that allegedly show he had direct involvement in such conversations.

Gabbard said the American public deserved answers about the origins of the pandemic.

“The COVID 19 pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of our fellow Americans and for countless people around the world,” Gabbard said.

“After years of lies, censorship and cover ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth and accountability.”

The release also includes testimony from intelligence community whistleblowers who allege analysts supporting the laboratory leak theory were sidelined, faced career consequences or were discouraged from challenging official conclusions.

Among the claims are allegations that a contractor lost their job after coming forward as a whistleblower and that some analysts were warned that disagreement with leadership could affect future promotions.

The allegations have not been tested in court.

Fauci has previously denied wrongdoing in relation to funding decisions, intelligence discussions and his handling of the pandemic.

The origins of COVID 19 remain disputed within the United States. Different American intelligence agencies have reached different conclusions, with some assessing a laboratory leak as the most likely explanation and others favouring a natural animal to human transmission.

No definitive evidence has emerged that conclusively proves either theory.