Louisiana has opened an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, becoming the latest state to examine whether he could face prosecution under state law. Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the inquiry Saturday, days after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times during a Senate hearing. Murrill said Louisiana would join Alabama and Florida in reviewing Fauci's actions and determining whether he committed any offenses that could be pursued in state courts.
In a post on X, Murrill wrote: «Fauci lied. Louisiana and Missouri deposed Dr. Fauci. At the time, he claimed to not recall many key details of his own actions and now we are discovering contemporaneous records he kept.» She also pointed to reporting that Fauci received a federal pardon from former President Joe Biden, but argued the pardon may not protect him from prosecution by state authorities.
Governor Jeff Landry, who previously served as Louisiana attorney general, welcomed the move. Landry wrote on X: «As someone who was Attorney General alongside Eric Schmitt, and deposed Dr. Fauci, I am happy to have Louisiana join Alabama and Florida!» His post echoed Murrill's suggestion that records from the earlier deposition remain relevant to the new inquiry.
Fauci appeared Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The hearing was contentious, and Fauci declined to answer lawmakers' questions by invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination. He invoked that right 111 times.
The legal clash centers on the pardon Biden granted Fauci. Federal pardons apply to offenses against the United States, so they generally do not prevent state prosecutors from bringing charges under state law. Officials in the states examining Fauci have cited that distinction as they consider whether his legal exposure extends beyond federal proceedings.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday that his office would investigate Fauci following the Senate hearing. Uthmeier said any and all potential violations of Florida law were under review.
Senator Tommy Tuberville, an Alabama Republican running for governor, said the same legal reasoning applies in his state. «Anthony Fauci is responsible for the deaths of millions of Americans and tens of thousands of Alabamians,» Tuberville said. «The pardon signed by Joe Biden's autopen doesn't apply to state-level crimes.»
Tuberville said that if elected governor, he would look into ways to pursue state charges against Fauci and would encourage Alabamians to bring civil claims. His comments followed Murrill's announcement and underscored the political dimension of the state-level efforts. Fauci's attorney was contacted for comment on the Louisiana investigation.
