A cadre of Republican state attorneys general is pushing for information regarding the origins of COVID-19 and aims to pursue legal action at the state level against Dr. Anthony Fauci despite a federal pardon granted by former President Joe Biden.

The efforts from the AGs underscore their hopes to hold Fauci accountable by going beyond the limits of the recent Biden pardon, as the Washington Examiner reports.

On Wednesday, seventeen Republican state attorneys general composed a joint letter to request more insights from congressional leadership.

This initiative was led by South Carolina's Alan Wilson with co-signers from states such as Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri. Their request zeroes in on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities for pursuing state-level criminal proceedings against Fauci, the former leader of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Push for Answers on Pandemic's Origin

The attorneys general addressed their letter to influential Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota. Their charge? To collect relevant federal data that could assist in unveiling any potential malfeasance on Fauci's part under state law, beyond the shield of President Biden's federal pardon.

According to a recent Republican Select Subcommittee report on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fauci is alleged to have discredited theories regarding COVID-19's laboratory origin.

Furthermore, this nearly 600-page document accuses Fauci of misleading Congress about federal contributions to risk-prone virus investigations conducted at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Federal Pardon Sparks State Concerns

Biden, before leaving office, granted Fauci a sweeping pardon that covers all possible offenses from January 2014 onward. This timeframe notably coincides with ex-President Barack Obama's three-year moratorium on specific precarious pathogen research practices.

In response, the attorneys general conveyed their apprehension over the pardon’s issuance in proximity to the completion of the subcommittee’s critical report.

Seeking assurance that this federal clemency does not obstruct justice, the state attorneys have pressed Congress for the utilization of every strategy at its disposal.

"As state attorneys general, we possess the authority to address violations of state law," they stated, emphasizing their commitment to investigating thoroughly any alleged misconduct and fostering cooperation with congressional leaders.

Challenges Surrounding Fifth Amendment Rights

Biden's pardon has altered Fauci's legal standing concerning federal inquiries. Legal experts point out that this development negates his ability to invoke the Fifth Amendment in federal criminal cases.

Nonetheless, Fauci still retains the right to abstain from self-incrimination questions on potential state law infractions, due to the pardon’s federal scope limitations.

The letter also landed in the hands of Sen. Rand Paul from Kentucky and Rep. James Comer, also of Kentucky. Paul, at the helm of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has pledged to call Fauci to the stand. Indicating potential congressional hearings, the committee may demand Fauci's testimony to explore these allegations further.

Urgency of Congressional Action Asserted

Drawing from their perceived role as guardians of state law, the attorneys general stressed their vigilance and readiness to probe any indications of wrongdoing to their fullest extent. They are poised to work in tandem with Congress to uphold public trust, irrespective of the pardon’s implications.

Highlighting the delicacy and political sensitivity of this inquiry, the signatories keenly underscored their plea for comprehensive congressional actions to counteract any protective effects of Biden’s contentious pardon of Fauci.

This resolute push from multiple state attorneys aims to ensure nothing remains unexamined in the pursuit of accountability. As this developing story unfolds, it remains a pivotal moment for those committed to casting light on the COVID-19 pandemic's uncharted origins and associated actions of key American figures.

This move signifies a broader endeavor on the part of Republican leaders to scrutinize pandemic-related decisions and those in influential positions during the crisis. The politically charged nature of both the pardon and the circumstances surrounding it continues to demand substantial attention. Their carefully coordinated correspondence articulates a determined pathway to pursue justice through all available legal channels, irrespective of federal limitations.