Sen. Paul Seeks Criminal Charges Against Fauci, Cites Autopen Pardon Concerns

Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) has filed a criminal referral with the Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, accusing Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, of lying to Congress about COVID-19 origins and related research. The referral, announced on July 14, 2025, intensifies Paul’s yearslong campaign against Fauci and questions the validity of a preemptive pardon issued by former President Joe Biden in January 2025, reportedly signed using an autopen.

Paul alleges Fauci committed perjury in 2021 Senate testimony by denying NIH-funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, citing a 2023 email as evidence of contradictory statements. The senator, now chairing the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, plans to subpoena Fauci for further testimony, arguing that Biden’s pardon, covering potential federal crimes from 2020 to 2022, does not shield him from new charges or congressional scrutiny.

The pardon’s use of an autopen—a robotic signature device—has sparked controversy. The Oversight Project, a conservative legal group, claims it may be invalid under federal law requiring personal presidential authorization. The Justice Department and House Oversight Committee are probing whether Biden aides concealed his mental state during the clemency process, which included over 1,500 individuals. Biden, in a New York Times interview, insisted he orally approved all pardons, dismissing claims of impropriety.

Bondi, confirmed in February 2025, faces pressure from Paul and House Republicans to pursue Fauci, though her recent decisions, including dropping charges against a Utah doctor accused of faking COVID-19 vaccine cards, have drawn criticism from some Trump allies. President Trump, in a July 13 Truth Social post, defended Bondi as “fantastic,” urging unity.

Fauci, who retired in 2022, has denied wrongdoing, telling Politico in January 2025 that no basis for prosecution exists. Legal experts note that enforcing a congressional subpoena could face court challenges, and no ruling has invalidated Fauci’s pardon. The Justice Department has not commented on the referral, leaving its outcome uncertain.

Sources: The New York Times, Politico