A bombshell revelation about a last-minute pardon has conservatives demanding justice. Allegations of deception and unauthorized actions fuel a high-stakes investigation, raising questions about accountability for one of America’s most controversial figures.

Summary

• Sen. Rand Paul refers Dr. Anthony Fauci for DOJ criminal probe.
• Biden’s autopen-signed pardon of Fauci raises legal concerns.
• Fauci accused of lying to Congress about COVID-19 origins.
• House Oversight Committee investigates Biden’s mental fitness, pardon process.
• Trump administration vows to pursue justice for Fauci’s actions.

Paul’s Renewed Push for Justice

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) announced he is reissuing a criminal referral of Dr. Anthony Fauci to the Department of Justice, citing allegations of perjury during Fauci’s 2021 Senate testimony about gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Paul’s move, reported by the Daily Mail, follows a New York Times revelation that former President Joe Biden used an autopen to sign a preemptive pardon for Fauci in January 2025, shielding him from potential charges related to his COVID-19 response. “If the President didn’t authorize this pardon personally, then the Department has a duty to investigate and prosecute as it would any ordinary citizen,” Paul wrote on X, emphasizing that Fauci’s pardon may be invalid due to its mechanical signature.

Biden’s Autopen Pardon Controversy

The use of an autopen—a device that replicates a signature—has ignited outrage among conservatives, who argue it undermines the legitimacy of Fauci’s pardon. Biden recently admitted that he did not personally approve each pardon, relying instead on staff like Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, who authorized the autopen at 10:31 p.m. on Biden’s last day in office. “I didn’t individually approve the names of every single person,” Biden said, defending the process as standard for large groups. However, Paul contends this raises “serious constitutional and legal concerns” about the pardon’s validity, arguing that Fauci’s protection from prosecution for alleged perjury may not hold. “Fauci has been sainted by the extremist Left, but it doesn’t erase his lying before Congress,” Paul added on X.

Fauci’s Alleged Deceptions Exposed

Paul’s referral hinges on Fauci’s 2021 testimony, where he denied NIH funding for gain-of-function research in Wuhan, a claim contradicted by a 2023 Government Accountability Office report. The report confirmed NIH funded experiments combining bat coronaviruses with SARS and MERS, creating hybridized strains. “His own emails directly contradicted his sworn testimony,” Paul stated, accusing Fauci of misleading Congress. Conservative critics, like Richard Ebright of Rutgers University, have long argued Fauci violated federal policies and covered up the pandemic’s origins, fueling calls for accountability. “Fauci’s actions cost lives and trust,” said Fox News host Laura Ingraham, reflecting conservative sentiment that his pardon was a desperate shield by Biden’s team.

Biden’s Mental Fitness Under Scrutiny

The autopen scandal has also intensified scrutiny of Biden’s mental capacity in his final days. The House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), is probing whether Biden’s staff, including Zients, covered up his cognitive decline. Comer blasted Biden’s former physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, for pleading the Fifth during a recent hearing, stating, “Most people invoke the Fifth when they have criminal liability.” Posts on X, like one from @TRUMP_ARMY_, called the pardons a sign that “unelected officials” ran the country, naming aides like Mike Donilon and Jill Biden. Conservatives argue this underscores a lack of accountability in Biden’s administration.

Trump’s DOJ Takes Aim

Under President Trump, the DOJ, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, faces pressure to act on Paul’s referral. Trump has publicly criticized the pardons, posting on Truth Social, “Crooked Joe’s autopen stunt let criminals loose, but we’ll fix this mess!” The administration is exploring ways to challenge the pardons’ legality, though constitutional limits may complicate efforts. “We need justice, not cover-ups,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on “Fox & Friends,” urging a thorough investigation. As the probe unfolds, conservatives rally behind Paul’s efforts to hold Fauci accountable, seeing it as a critical step to restore trust in institutions tainted by the COVID era.