FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, in a public post on X, has confirmed that the bureau is examining issues related to the origin of the COVID-19 virus. The comment was made on Wednesday evening, coinciding with growing media attention on a new coronavirus variant. Bongino stated that the FBI is actively investigating the possibility of a cover-up surrounding the virus’s origin, along with associated matters requiring the bureau’s attention. He emphasized that the American people deserve transparency and clarity regarding the circumstances of the virus’s emergence. The FBI has not issued a formal statement on the matter, and the scope of the review remains unclear.
Bongino’s remarks are part of a broader conversation about the origin of the virus, which has been a subject of international scrutiny since the first cases were reported in Wuhan, China. In 2023, then-FBI Director Christopher Wray stated the agency assessed with moderate confidence that the virus likely originated from a lab incident in Wuhan, which was met with skepticism from the Chinese government. Chinese officials have consistently denied any such claims, calling them politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
The current development follows the detection of a new variant, provisionally identified as NB.1.8.1, which has appeared in multiple U.S. states. Federal health authorities have not designated it as a variant of concern, but it has sparked renewed discussions about the potential for new viral strains to emerge. At the same time, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has been actively reviewing allegations that early public health messaging downplayed the lab leak theory, possibly for diplomatic or political reasons. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former White House health advisor, has consistently denied any efforts to conceal information, calling the allegations entirely false.
The FBI, which has not yet made an official statement on the matter, has not responded to requests for comment, leaving the public with uncertainty about the extent of the investigation. Bongino’s comments reflect his increased public engagement with the bureau’s operations, as he continues to use social media to communicate updates directly to the public. The FBI remains focused on a complex and ongoing inquiry, with no specific individuals or entities identified at this time. The situation underscores the broader public interest in understanding the origins of the virus and the implications of any potential cover-up for public health and international relations.