Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has escalated his scrutiny of Dr Anthony Fauci after texts released from the former COVID-19 response coordinator's government phone showed Fauci privately raising concerns that mRNA vaccines administered during the first trimester of pregnancy could potentially cause miscarriages. Johnson, who is leading the investigation, described the disclosure as "just the tip of the iceberg" and called the texts "truly sick", suggesting further revelations are expected as the probe continues.

The text exchanges reportedly show Fauci discussing theoretical miscarriage risks tied to first-trimester COVID vaccination during internal communications at the time, information that was not made public in official guidance to pregnant women. The release has reignited debate over transparency during the pandemic response, with Johnson framing it as evidence of concerns being withheld from the public, while other voices, including a fellow Republican senator, have pushed back, calling the characterisation a "gross misrepresentation".