House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has warned Dr Anthony Fauci that the pardon granted to him by former President Joe Biden will not protect him if he lies to Congress during an upcoming Senate appearance. The warning comes as Fauci prepares to testify before a Republican-led Senate committee, amid ongoing scrutiny of his role overseeing the US pandemic response, including allegations concerning gain-of-function research funding and the origins of Covid-19.

Comer's intervention follows a wave of criticism from Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ron Johnson, who has accused Fauci of being "grossly dishonest" and has alleged he contradicted himself over the virus's origins while backing lockdown policies. Newly surfaced diary entries reportedly show Fauci privately taking credit for lockdown decisions despite publicly denying responsibility, further fuelling GOP demands for accountability ahead of his testimony.