A current CIA operative testified to senators on the 13th (local time) that Dr. Anthony Fauci played a key role in influencing intelligence officials not to conclude that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak accident in Wuhan, China.

James Erdman, a CIA special operations officer, testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee that the intelligence community had nearly concluded in August 2021 that the COVID-19 pandemic was likely due to a lab leak, but the assessment changed a few days later, the Daily Mail reported.

"Dr. Fauci's participation in the cover-up was intentional," Erdman told the committee. "Dr. Fauci used his position to influence the analysis process and outcomes by having intelligence agencies consult with a roster of interested experts, public health officials, and scientists."

Erdman stated that according to documents, the CIA was prepared to present COVID-19 as a lab leak on August 12, 2021, but by August 17, their stance had shifted.

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, questioned Erdman on whether Fauci played a significant role in intelligence analysts abandoning their previous agreement.

"There was significant influence," Erdman replied.

Fauci was the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the time. He has not publicly responded to the allegations raised during Wednesday's hearing.

The lab leak theory suggests that COVID-19 did not spread naturally from animals to humans but instead leaked from a research facility in Wuhan.

The CIA, after years of refusing to state an official position on the virus's origin, officially supported the lab leak theory with "low confidence" in January 2025.

Erdman also testified that the CIA "illegally surveilled" the phones and computers of federal analysts investigating the origins of COVID-19.

"The CIA illegally surveilled the computer and phone usage, investigative activities, and contacts with whistleblowers of the Director's Integration Group (DIG) personnel," he said.

Erdman further claimed that the surveillance was carried out under the direction of former President Joe Biden.

"These were Americans who were carrying out their duties under the President's direction and the authority of the Director of National Intelligence, and they were illegally spied upon," he stated.

The New York Times reported that Senator Paul said Erdman came forward at "great personal risk" because "the truth was being buried."

Senator Paul introduced Erdman as a decorated intelligence officer with prior service in the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment and the U.S. Department of State.

Tensions between Senator Paul and the CIA had escalated prior to the hearing, with the CIA accusing Senator Paul of malicious intent in subpoenaing Erdman as a witness.

The testimony comes as the Justice Department continues its investigation into Dr. Fauci's actions during the pandemic. Senator Paul has argued that Fauci should be prosecuted for his congressional testimony regarding the origin of COVID-19.

President Biden appears to have preemptively issued a pardon to Dr. Fauci on his last day in office to protect him from potential future prosecution related to his work during the pandemic.

In an interview with Newsmax on Tuesday, Senator Paul questioned the legality of the pardon, which would protect Fauci from federal crimes he may have committed between January 1, 2014, and January 19, 2025.

"The biggest issue is whether this blanket pardon, covering a decade and unspecified crimes, is legitimate," he said. "I think this pardon is worth challenging in court. I cannot understand how you can pardon unspecified crimes."

Senator Paul stated that he has sent "criminal referral letters to the Justice Departments of both the Biden and Trump administrations three times each" calling for Fauci's prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department recently indicted Dr. David Morens, Dr. Fauci's longtime senior advisor at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), on several felony charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and destruction and concealment of federal records.

Prosecutors allege that Dr. Morens used his personal email account to evade Freedom of Information Act requests and discussed "how to make emails disappear."

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, NNP USA / Special Contributor NNP info@newsandpost.com