Bowling Green Today

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul and 18 other senators sent a follow-up letter to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William J. Burns, requesting information on whistleblower allegations concerning the CIA's investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The allegations were disclosed by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

According to the whistleblower, a senior-level Agency officer has come forward with information regarding the Agency's analysis of the origins of COVID-19. The officer revealed that a COVID Discovery Team consisting of seven officers was assigned to the investigation. Six of the seven members of the team, who were experienced and had significant scientific expertise, believed that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. The seventh member, who happened to be the most senior, believed that COVID-19 originated through zoonosis.

In their letter, the senators expressed concern about the CIA's investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in light of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's unclassified report in June 2023 stating that the CIA was unable to determine the precise origin of the pandemic. They emphasized that the CIA has an obligation to be responsive to congressional oversight requests and called the Agency's refusal to cooperate with information requests unacceptable.

The senators reiterated their previous requests for information, including all documents and communications regarding the establishment of the COVID Discovery Team, as well as documents and communications related to the origins of COVID-19. They also requested information on any conclusions of the COVID Discovery Team and subsequent revisions.

Dr. Paul was joined by Senators Roger Wicker, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, Markwayne Mullin, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bill Cassidy, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Bill Hagerty, Mike Braun, Ted Cruz, Tommy Tuberville, Josh Hawley, Roger Marshall, Eric Schmitt, Ron Johnson, Susan Collins, and Lindsey Graham in sending the letter.

This is not the first time that Dr. Rand Paul and the senators have requested information from the CIA regarding the origins of COVID-19. On September 12, 2023, they initially requested additional documents and information related to the Agency's investigation. However, the CIA failed to provide any of the requested information or documentation in their response on September 27, 2023.

The senators' follow-up letter underscores their commitment to obtaining the necessary information to evaluate the whistleblower's allegations and to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation of the origins of COVID-19.