Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has led a group of 18 senators in sending 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 letter comes in response to information disclosed by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

According to the whistleblower, a senior-level, current Agency officer has come forward to provide information regarding the CIA's analysis into the origins of COVID-19. The whistleblower claims that a COVID Discovery Team, consisting of experienced officers with scientific expertise, was assigned to the investigation. Six out of the seven members of the team believed that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, while the seventh member, who was the most senior, believed it originated through zoonosis.

"These allegations raise serious questions about the Agency's investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic," the senators wrote in their letter. They also emphasized that the CIA's refusal to cooperate with requests for information is unacceptable and that the agency has an obligation to be responsive to congressional oversight requests.

The senators are requesting various documents and communications related to the establishment of the COVID Discovery Team, its findings, and any revisions made. They are also seeking information regarding interactions between the team and other employees or contractors of the CIA, as well as other federal government agencies such as the U.S. Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Dr. Paul is joined by several other senators in sending the letter, including Senators Roger Wicker, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, and Lindsey Graham, among others.

This is not the first time Senator Paul has requested information from the CIA regarding the origins of COVID-19. In September 2023, he and other senators requested additional documents and information from CIA Director Burns. However, the CIA's response did not provide the requested information or documentation.

The full text of the letter can be found on Senator Rand Paul's website.

This follow-up letter highlights the ongoing efforts by lawmakers to uncover the truth about the origins of COVID-19. As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, understanding how the virus emerged is crucial for preventing future outbreaks and ensuring global health and security.