COVID-19 Origin: Wuhan Lab Leak Theory and FBI’s Exclusion from Key Briefings

A report by the New York Post has shed light on the controversial theory that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak in Wuhan, China. The report highlights how the FBI, the only U.S. agency to support the lab leak hypothesis, was deliberately excluded from key intelligence briefings presented to President Joe Biden.

FBI’s Findings and Exclusion

The FBI reportedly held substantial evidence indicating that COVID-19 likely emerged from a lab leak. Despite this, the FBI and its scientists were not invited to an August 2021 National Intelligence Council (NIC) briefing on the origins of the virus. Dr. Jason Bannon, a former senior scientist at the FBI, expressed surprise and disappointment that the agency’s findings were not shared with the President.

Diverging Theories on COVID-19’s Origins

The NIC briefing, which included inputs from four intelligence agencies, leaned toward the theory that COVID-19 emerged from zoonotic transmission rather than being genetically engineered. This theory posits that the virus originated in bats and spread through the Wuhan wet market, where the first outbreak was detected in 2019.

In contrast, the FBI concluded that the lab leak theory was the most plausible explanation. Dr. Jason Bannon and other defense and FBI scientists who supported this theory were excluded from key discussions. The report also mentions that these experts were prevented from sharing lab leak data with Congress or other agencies.

Suppression of Evidence and Alternative Views

The report suggests that critical evidence supporting the lab leak theory was largely ignored. Scientists like Dr. Anthony Fauci publicly supported the natural origins theory, while whistleblowers like Lt. Col. Joseph Murphy claimed that “blueprints” for engineered viruses like SARS-CoV-2 were mishandled. The report also revealed that a Chinese military researcher filed a vaccine patent weeks after the initial outbreak, raising further suspicions.

FBI’s Stance and Investigation

The FBI was the sole U.S. agency to firmly endorse the lab leak theory. The agency conducted over 200 interviews with more than 80 individuals during its investigation. Despite this, it was not invited to present its findings at crucial meetings. FBI scientist Dr. Bannon told The Wall Street Journal that the agency expected to be part of the discussions but was not included, which he found surprising and concerning.

Official Statements

A spokesperson for the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) defended the briefing process, stating that it included fair representation of all viewpoints within the intelligence community. However, they acknowledged that no single agency was invited to the meeting. The FBI, in contrast, reaffirmed its belief that a lab leak in Wuhan was the most probable origin of the global pandemic.

The New York Post report underscores ongoing controversies surrounding the origins of COVID-19 and the handling of critical intelligence within the U.S. government. It also raises questions about the transparency and inclusivity of key decision-making processes during the pandemic.