During an interview in the Oval Office with Semafor’s Shelby Talcott, President Trump addressed speculation regarding the potential legal pursuit of Dr. Anthony Fauci. When asked if he had consulted with Attorney General Todd Blanche or U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro about prosecuting the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Trump responded, “I have not spoken to them about that, no.”

The denial comes amid ongoing pressure from members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, who have recently advocated for a formal inquiry into Fauci’s actions during the pandemic. While some Republican legislators have suggested that Fauci should face legal consequences for his testimony and policy recommendations during the COVID-19 crisis, the President’s statement clarifies that he has not directed his Justice Department appointees to initiate such a process. The administration has not provided further details on whether the Department of Justice intends to open any formal investigations into the matter, leaving the current status of potential legal action against Fauci unclear.