Florida Attorney General Pursues Multiple Legal Avenues in Fauci Investigation Despite Presidential Pardon

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office is pursuing a broad range of legal theories against Dr. Anthony Fauci, including fraud, deceptive trade practices, and public nuisance claims. Speaking on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Uthmeier indicated the investigation could ultimately expose criminal liability, though he cautioned that no determinations have been made at this stage.

Uthmeier’s team plans to deploy all available tools under Florida statutes to determine whether Fauci engaged in self-dealing or profited personally from policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The attorney general emphasized his office intends to examine every potential avenue of Florida law while pursuing accountability and establishing facts surrounding Fauci’s conduct.

When pressed on whether he believes criminal conduct occurred, Uthmeier declined to commit to that conclusion but characterized Fauci’s actions as damaging to Americans. He suggested that if evidence shows Fauci earned money while allegedly perpetrating fraud, criminal liability could materialize, though civil claims would be pursued initially.

A presidential pardon issued by former President Joe Biden shields Fauci from federal prosecution for actions taken between January 1, 2014, and January 19, 2025. However, that pardon provides no protection against state-level charges, leaving Fauci vulnerable to Florida’s legal system.

Uthmeier’s statement followed Fauci’s recent congressional testimony, during which he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted along party lines to hold Fauci in contempt after he repeatedly declined to answer questions from lawmakers.