Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, that his office is joining Louisiana and West Virginia in issuing a subpoena to Dr. Anthony Fauci. The subpoena initiates an official investigation into whether Fauci profited from his Covid-19 guidance through awards, professional opportunities, financial incentives, and grants that impacted Florida businesses and consumers.

Uthmeier, alongside West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, stated the investigation focuses on Fauci’s substantial awards, including grants, book deals, and board positions linked to his public recommendations as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"Government officials have a certain level of immunity in their official capacities, but if Fauci personally profited off of the ‘guidance’ he issued, that very well could have broken Florida law," Uthmeier said. He further accused Fauci’s diary of focusing more on self-promotion than legitimate safety concerns regarding mRNA vaccines, claiming that while Fauci pursued book deals and awards, Floridians were harmed by his misrepresentations.

This subpoena comes amid renewed scrutiny from some lawmakers on Capitol Hill over Fauci’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to avoid answering questions from Republicans. Prior to leaving office in January 2025, President Joe Biden issued a pre-emptive pardon for Fauci.

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