Investigation into Virologist's Misleading Briefing on COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory

Virologist Kristian Andersen, who is under investigation for allegedly misleading the public about the possibility of a lab origin of SARS-CoV-2, may have also misled the intelligence community. Andersen assured officials in a briefing organized by the State Department's intelligence analysts in early 2020 that the virus was natural, drawing from an influential letter he authored. The revelation comes amidst growing concerns that the letter aimed to suppress discussion of a lab accident as the origin of the pandemic. New evidence suggests that Andersen's briefing discouraged some officials from investigating the lab leak theory. Andersen is expected to testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee tomorrow.