Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Sunday his office is using “everything in our power to seek truth” as it continues a review of actions by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former chief White House medical adviser and long-time director at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
AG frames probe as accountability effort
Speaking on Fox News’ "Sunday Morning Futures," Uthmeier described the pandemic years as “horrific” for many Floridians and suggested his investigation will explore whether Fauci improperly profited or otherwise engaged in conduct that could constitute wrongdoing under Florida law. He said investigators will examine whether public health pronouncements were accompanied by undisclosed personal gain.
"People couldn't be there for the birth of their first child or the loss of a loved one because of him," Uthmeier said, adding that if Fauci "is making money on the side while perpetuating this fraud, there could very well be criminal liability."
Uthmeier declined to say what specific records or witnesses his office has sought. He framed the inquiry broadly, saying it will "look at every aspect of Florida law" to determine if state statutes were violated and underscored the legal hurdles that can arise when government officials have certain immunities.
Allegations and scope cited by the attorney general
On the program, Uthmeier repeated claims aired by some critics that during the height of the pandemic, policies such as lockdowns and restrictions kept families apart during major life events. He said the probe will include a review of allegations that Fauci benefited financially from activities tied to his public role, including book deals and awards, though he acknowledged proving wrongdoing can be difficult when government immunities apply.
Uthmeier also praised Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), noting that ongoing congressional scrutiny has kept questions about Fauci in the public eye. The former NIAID director invoked his Fifth Amendment rights repeatedly during a recent Senate hearing, drawing both criticism and support from lawmakers across the ideological spectrum.
What the attorney general says he is investigating
- Whether Dr. Fauci profited personally from his public role during the pandemic.
- Whether government decisions tied to public health guidance were accompanied by undisclosed conflicts of interest.
- Legal avenues available under Florida law to pursue alleged misconduct by officials.
Uthmeier told host Maria Bartiromo he believes people were harmed by pandemic-era policies and that those harms justify a thorough state-level review. He said his office will use "every tool under Florida law to figure out what kind of self-dealing was going on."
Legal and political context
Under Florida law, pursuing allegations against federal officials presents legal complexities. Government immunities and the separation of federal and state jurisdiction can limit remedies available to a state attorney general. Uthmeier acknowledged those challenges, saying the office has "an uphill battle" but will press any leads that suggest monetary gain tied to official duties.
The assertion that Fauci "invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times" during a congressional hearing was raised in public debate and referenced by Uthmeier in discussing the senator-led inquiry. Whether those actions affect a state probe depends on what documents and testimony state investigators can obtain through subpoenas, public records requests or cooperation with federal authorities.
| Item | What AG Uthmeier said |
|---|---|
| Primary focus | Allegations of personal profit and self-dealing during the pandemic |
| Legal posture | Using "every tool under Florida law" to investigate despite potential immunities |
| Public justification | Harm to families through pandemic policies |
Local impact and next steps
For Floridians, the probe is likely to be watched closely for both symbolic and practical reasons. Symbolically, it signals the attorney general’s interest in re-examining the conduct of senior public-health officials during an unprecedented crisis. Practically, the inquiry could produce records or findings that shape future state oversight of pandemic response and ethics rules for public servants.
Uthmeier did not provide a timeline for the investigation or specify whether his office has issued subpoenas or collected documents from federal agencies. He also did not say whether Florida will seek coordination with other state attorneys general or Congress.
As the office moves forward, questions remain about what evidence exists to support claims of improper personal gain and how Florida’s legal authorities can reach actions taken by federal officials. Those are likely to be central issues if Uthmeier’s inquiry advances beyond an initial review.
This report will be updated as the attorney general’s office releases additional details.
