White House promotes COVID-19 lab leak theory

The White House launched a new website on Friday promoting the theory that COVID-19 originated in a lab, redirecting the existing COVID.gov site. This marks a significant shift in the official narrative. The website asserts the virus possesses unnatural biological characteristics and that a natural origin would have already been proven. It echoes conclusions from some intelligence agencies and a Republican-led congressional subcommittee, while also criticizing the COVID-19 response. The site also includes a preemptive pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci and could signal further action on vaccine requirements and gain-of-function research, a controversial area of study.