Fauci's right-hand man dumbfounded over deleted Wuhan COVID lab emails

Dr. Anthony Fauci 's former top aide was dumbstruck during an intense grilling by Republicans over his efforts to cover up his emails discussing COVID origins. Dr. David Morens (pictured) was confronted about his 'intentional' efforts to subvert federal transparency laws when discussing COVID origins and links to a Wuhan, China, virology lab during a testy Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci 's former top aide was dumbstruck during an intense grilling by Republicans over his efforts to cover up his emails discussing COVID origins. Dr. David Morens (pictured) was confronted about his 'intentional' efforts to subvert federal transparency laws when discussing COVID origins and links to a Wuhan, China, virology lab during a testy Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday.

He was also forced to apologize when confronted over 'disgusting' and misogynistic comments he made about women in his correspondence. His comments about Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Rochelle Walensky - and how he believed she got the job because she 'wears skirts' - were put on blast. 'I find your comments to be disgusting,' Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (pictured), R-Iowa, told Morens. His email insinuated Walensky only got her top job because she is a woman. 'You should be ashamed of your character and be embarrassed.' 'It's a misogynistic statement and it was the same snarky joking stuff,' he retorted before Miller-Meeks exploded. 'Sir, that is not a snarky joke. That is an underlying behavior that indicates how you approach women and how you think of women - and its disgusting.'

He was also forced to apologize when confronted over 'disgusting' and misogynistic comments he made about women in his correspondence. His comments about Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Rochelle Walensky - and how he believed she got the job because she 'wears skirts' - were put on blast. 'I find your comments to be disgusting,' Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (pictured), R-Iowa, told Morens. His email insinuated Walensky only got her top job because she is a woman. 'You should be ashamed of your character and be embarrassed.' 'It's a misogynistic statement and it was the same snarky joking stuff,' he retorted before Miller-Meeks exploded. 'Sir, that is not a snarky joke. That is an underlying behavior that indicates how you approach women and how you think of women - and its disgusting.'

Earlier in the day, the committee released a trove of emails he made on a personal account to colleagues. They show Morens making additional inappropriate comments about women. 'Beverage is always good, and best delivered by a blonde nymphomaniac, if you can manage that,' he wrote to Daszak in December 2020. 'Actually, at my age I’ll take a brunette. Even a red head. Any hair at all.' To say the hearing was a disaster for Morens would be an understatement.

Earlier in the day, the committee released a trove of emails he made on a personal account to colleagues. They show Morens making additional inappropriate comments about women. 'Beverage is always good, and best delivered by a blonde nymphomaniac, if you can manage that,' he wrote to Daszak in December 2020. 'Actually, at my age I’ll take a brunette. Even a red head. Any hair at all.' To say the hearing was a disaster for Morens would be an understatement.

The former Fauci aide was forced to apologize repeatedly for his misogyny and for the reason he was actually testifying to in the first place - deleting emails to cover up a trial of communications between himself and Dr. Peter Daszak (pictured), a defamed coronavirus researcher at the center of the committee's COVID-19 origins investigation. Daszak and his organization - EcoHealth Alliance - were conducting research using funds from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in conjunction with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to study coronaviruses at the time COVID-19 began. EcoHealth's research is at the center of the committee's probe into the origins of the virus, as are key allies of Daszak, Morens and Fauci himself.

The former Fauci aide was forced to apologize repeatedly for his misogyny and for the reason he was actually testifying to in the first place - deleting emails to cover up a trial of communications between himself and Dr. Peter Daszak (pictured), a defamed coronavirus researcher at the center of the committee's COVID-19 origins investigation. Daszak and his organization - EcoHealth Alliance - were conducting research using funds from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in conjunction with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to study coronaviruses at the time COVID-19 began. EcoHealth's research is at the center of the committee's probe into the origins of the virus, as are key allies of Daszak, Morens and Fauci himself.

The former Fauci advisor admitted to helping Daszak apply for federal funding and even asked him for a 'kickback' after the coronavirus researcher, who he said is a friend, received $7.5 million from the agency Morens oversees. 'Do i get a kickback????? Too much fooking money! DO you deserve it all? Lets discuss,' Morens sent Daszak in an email. 'Of course there's a kick-back,' Daszak responded in an email revealed Wednesday. When pressed on the exchange by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., Morens said he was just joking. 'Um, that's typical black humor between people like Peter and me,' Morens responded.

The former Fauci advisor admitted to helping Daszak apply for federal funding and even asked him for a 'kickback' after the coronavirus researcher, who he said is a friend, received $7.5 million from the agency Morens oversees. 'Do i get a kickback????? Too much fooking money! DO you deserve it all? Lets discuss,' Morens sent Daszak in an email. 'Of course there's a kick-back,' Daszak responded in an email revealed Wednesday. When pressed on the exchange by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., Morens said he was just joking. 'Um, that's typical black humor between people like Peter and me,' Morens responded.

Morens testified he had not received any compensation from EcoHealth or Daszak. Though several lawmakers on the committee appeared to not believe him. Also on Wednesday, the committee revealed that after a review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) EcoHealth and Daszak are now barred from ever gaining access to U.S. taxpayer-funded grants again. 'EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak’s personal debarment will ensure he never again receives a single cent from U.S. taxpayers nor has the opportunity to start a new, untrustworthy organization,' the committee Chairman Brand Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said in a statement announcing the debarring.

Morens testified he had not received any compensation from EcoHealth or Daszak. Though several lawmakers on the committee appeared to not believe him. Also on Wednesday, the committee revealed that after a review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) EcoHealth and Daszak are now barred from ever gaining access to U.S. taxpayer-funded grants again. 'EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak’s personal debarment will ensure he never again receives a single cent from U.S. taxpayers nor has the opportunity to start a new, untrustworthy organization,' the committee Chairman Brand Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said in a statement announcing the debarring.

Last week, HHS announced it was halting grants to EcoHealth pending a review of the organization's practices. HHS deputy assistant secretary for acquisitions Katrina Brisbon said then that 'immediate action is necessary to protect the public interest' and there was 'adequate evidence' to prove the nonprofit was not up to department standards. 'Dr. Daszak’s impending debarment does not shield him from accountability to the American people,' Wenstrup's statement continued. 'It appears that Dr. Daszak may have lied under oath about his relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and his compliance with NIH grant procedures. The Select Subcommittee intends to hold Dr. Daszak accountable for any dishonesty and reminds him that this debarment decision does not preclude him from producing all outstanding documents and answering all the questions of this Congressional body.' Daszak's EcoHealth had been awarded $2.6 million in grant funding from HHS in 2023 for three separate proposals - and last week the agency halted those funds. Now, it appears EcoHealth will not get the outstanding amount awarded to it.

Last week, HHS announced it was halting grants to EcoHealth pending a review of the organization's practices. HHS deputy assistant secretary for acquisitions Katrina Brisbon said then that 'immediate action is necessary to protect the public interest' and there was 'adequate evidence' to prove the nonprofit was not up to department standards. 'Dr. Daszak’s impending debarment does not shield him from accountability to the American people,' Wenstrup's statement continued. 'It appears that Dr. Daszak may have lied under oath about his relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and his compliance with NIH grant procedures. The Select Subcommittee intends to hold Dr. Daszak accountable for any dishonesty and reminds him that this debarment decision does not preclude him from producing all outstanding documents and answering all the questions of this Congressional body.' Daszak's EcoHealth had been awarded $2.6 million in grant funding from HHS in 2023 for three separate proposals - and last week the agency halted those funds. Now, it appears EcoHealth will not get the outstanding amount awarded to it.

Emails published Wednesday also show that Morens (pictured) worked with the NIH's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office to skirt government transparency laws by using his private email account to communicate with Daszak about EcoHealth, its research and the federal funds approved for coronavirus research at WIV in Wuhan, China. Morens wrote to Daszak in February 2021 that he 'learned from our FOIA .. lady here how to make emails dissapear after I am foia'd.' 'Plus I deleted most of those earlier emails after sending them to gmail,' he told Daszak.

Emails published Wednesday also show that Morens (pictured) worked with the NIH's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office to skirt government transparency laws by using his private email account to communicate with Daszak about EcoHealth, its research and the federal funds approved for coronavirus research at WIV in Wuhan, China. Morens wrote to Daszak in February 2021 that he 'learned from our FOIA .. lady here how to make emails dissapear after I am foia'd.' 'Plus I deleted most of those earlier emails after sending them to gmail,' he told Daszak.

Morens was subpoenaed by the committee and testified before the body Wednesday afternoon after his emails were published. 'I ask you both that NOTHING gets sent to me except to my gmail,' Morens said in another email to the EcoHealth president. Previously, the committee revealed that Morens told them 'I will delete anything I don’t want to see in the New York Times,' showing his flagrant disregard for agency transparency protocols .

Morens was subpoenaed by the committee and testified before the body Wednesday afternoon after his emails were published. 'I ask you both that NOTHING gets sent to me except to my gmail,' Morens said in another email to the EcoHealth president. Previously, the committee revealed that Morens told them 'I will delete anything I don’t want to see in the New York Times,' showing his flagrant disregard for agency transparency protocols .

In another email recently revealed, Morens told Daszak 'We are all smart enough to know to never have smoking guns, and if we did we wouldn’t put them in emails and if we found them we’d delete them.' Morens also heaped praise on his boss Dr. Fauci, writing there 'is no worry about FOIAs. I can either send stuff to Tony on his private gmail ... or hand it to him at work or at his house.' 'He is too smart to let colleagues send him stuff that could cause trouble,' Fauci's loyal lieutenant said of the long-time National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director.

In another email recently revealed, Morens told Daszak 'We are all smart enough to know to never have smoking guns, and if we did we wouldn’t put them in emails and if we found them we’d delete them.' Morens also heaped praise on his boss Dr. Fauci, writing there 'is no worry about FOIAs. I can either send stuff to Tony on his private gmail ... or hand it to him at work or at his house.' 'He is too smart to let colleagues send him stuff that could cause trouble,' Fauci's loyal lieutenant said of the long-time National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director.

Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.

Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.

OTHER NEWS

30 minutes ago

Restoring kampung houses to keep Pulau Ubin’s rustic charm

33 minutes ago

Sacre bleu! Former Commonwealth Games swimmer left with a French accent after suffering a stroke whilst training

33 minutes ago

How depressing? Junk food is bad for your mental health, study warns

34 minutes ago

Labour pledge to give people suffering from brittle bone disease access to vital scans in victory for the Mail on Sunday's War On Osteoporosis campaign

34 minutes ago

ERIC KAUFMANN: Be warned...Labour will turbo charge the woke revolution

34 minutes ago

SUSIE DENT: Rhyming slang isn't brown bread - and it's all down to Kylie and Miley

34 minutes ago

Cameron Young hits 59 as Tom Kim leads Travellers Championship

34 minutes ago

Trump drops $500 tip at Philly cheesesteak restaurant as possible VP name is floated in crowd interaction

34 minutes ago

Surely CBA shares can't just keep rising?

34 minutes ago

Sick at home and bored out of your mind? Here are five films and shows that will get you through

34 minutes ago

SuperAnimal: A deep learning model for automated animal behavior analysis

34 minutes ago

Nationwide tells members you can't turn up to our AGM in person

34 minutes ago

Star Wars fans hone their lightsaber dueling skills at a Mexico City Jedi academy

38 minutes ago

‘Star Wars’ Actress Daisy Ridley Comes Face-To-Face With Rey Character Performer At Disneyland: “Surrealist!”

39 minutes ago

Inflation gauge to offer cold comfort for borrowers

39 minutes ago

5 Reasons to Seriously Consider Using a Living Trust to Pass an Inheritance to Your Family

39 minutes ago

Aussie skateboarders move one step closer to Paris

39 minutes ago

Steelers Plan on Using Payton Wilson’s ‘Superpower’ to Their Advantage

39 minutes ago

Euro 2024 predictions, fixtures, group standings, results: Sunday 23 June

44 minutes ago

L.A. Olympics official: Leaving Caitlin Clark off 2024 U.S. team 'missed opportunity'

44 minutes ago

Caeleb Dressel qualifies for another event at Paris Olympics, 'happy to be done' with trials

47 minutes ago

Australians will get ‘strong leadership’ from a Coalition government

47 minutes ago

Army chiefs plan biggest reservists mobilisation exercise in 20 years

47 minutes ago

Vitamin supplement that costs just £1 a day could help millions of Britons suffering with poor blood circulation

47 minutes ago

PETER HITCHENS: Could Sir Keir Starmer have failed to spot that he was in a Police State?

47 minutes ago

Meghan's the one I want to hear from on my birthday, but here's why I know she won't call: Just weeks from his 80th, a forlorn THOMAS MARKLE sees no hope of a reconciliation with his daughter

47 minutes ago

Addicts being charged huge sums for private rehabilitation services they do not need, expert warns

47 minutes ago

SARAH VINE: Not only does Starmer have a fundamental disregard for women's rights, he has an even more fundamental disregard for their opinions. That's why I'll never vote for him

47 minutes ago

Eight bargain investment trusts that could bring YOU returns of up to 90% over five years

47 minutes ago

Eight bargain investment trusts that could bring YOU returns of up to 90% over five years

52 minutes ago

Philadelphia officer clinging to life after being shot in the head: report

52 minutes ago

How college graduate aged 23 was able to buy $200,000 home that will make him $23,000 profit a year with just a $540 down payment

52 minutes ago

12-year-old set to become the youngest to graduate from NY high school: 'Absolutely insane'

52 minutes ago

Five Teams Emerge With Interest In Golden Knights' Goaltenders

52 minutes ago

Dominant second-half display sees Glasgow crowned URC champions

52 minutes ago

Want less smartphone distraction - how about a dumbphone?

52 minutes ago

England WAGS give players much-needed morale boost after deflating Denmark performance

52 minutes ago

Swinney: Govt should remove barrier to passing Gender Reform bill

54 minutes ago

Sha'Carri Richardson will race for spot in Olympics after winning semifinals at US trials in 10.86

54 minutes ago

Remain alert as severe storms target southern Ontario on Sunday