Rand Paul Reissues Criminal Referral Against Fauci Over Autopen Pardon Controversy

Washington, D.C. – July 15, 2025 – Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announced on July 14, 2025, that he will reissue a criminal referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), for alleged perjury during congressional testimony. The move follows revelations that a preemptive pardon granted to Fauci by former President Joe Biden was signed using an autopen, raising questions about its validity and Biden’s direct authorization.

Background of the Allegations

Paul’s referral centers on Fauci’s 2021 Senate testimony, where he denied that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Paul claims a 2023 email from Fauci contradicts this, suggesting the NIH supported such research, which Paul argues contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Perjury is a crime, and Fauci must be held accountable,” Paul stated on X, emphasizing that Fauci’s testimony was “absolutely a lie.”

The senator previously issued referrals in 2021 and 2023, accusing Fauci of lying to Congress about NIH funding. A 2020 email cited by Paul reportedly shows Fauci acknowledging concerns about gain-of-function experiments in Wuhan, further fueling the controversy.

The Autopen Pardon Controversy

Fauci received a preemptive pardon from Biden in January 2025, covering potential federal crimes from 2014 onward. However, The New York Times reported that Biden’s Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients, approved the pardon, with the signature executed via autopen—a robotic device—without clear evidence of Biden’s personal authorization. Paul and other Republicans argue this irregularity undermines the pardon’s legitimacy, prompting calls for DOJ investigation under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Biden defended the process, stating he orally approved all pardons, but critics, including President Donald Trump, have labeled the autopen use a “major scandal,” alleging it reflects Biden’s diminished capacity and excessive staff control. The Oversight Project, a conservative group, claims the autopen’s use may violate federal law requiring direct presidential authorization.

Ongoing Investigations and Public Reaction

Paul, now chairing the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has subpoenaed 14 federal agencies, including the NIH, to probe COVID-19 origins and gain-of-function research. He seeks records on NIH funding decisions and oversight failures, arguing that Fauci’s pardon does not shield him from new charges or process crimes.

Public sentiment on X is divided. Some users support Paul’s push, with posts demanding Fauci’s prosecution for alleged perjury, while others view the referral as politically motivated. “Fauci lied REPEATEDLY in front of Congress and shaking while doing so. He’s guilty of perjury. LOCK HIM UP,” one post read, reflecting strong sentiment among critics.

Fauci, who retired in 2022, has denied wrongdoing, stating in a 2025 Politico interview that no basis for prosecution exists. Legal experts note that enforcing congressional subpoenas or invalidating the pardon could face significant legal hurdles.

Implications for Accountability

Paul’s renewed referral intensifies scrutiny on Fauci and the Biden administration’s clemency process. With Bondi’s DOJ under pressure to act, the case could set a precedent for how pardons are issued and challenged. The controversy also reignites debates over COVID-19’s origins and the role of federal funding in high-risk research.

For the latest updates on this developing story, visit NRIGlobe.com.

Keywords: Rand Paul, Anthony Fauci, criminal referral, DOJ, autopen pardon, perjury, COVID-19 origins, gain-of-function research, Biden pardon controversy, Trump DOJ