Trump denies urging Blanche or Pirro to prosecute Fauci

President Donald Trump said Monday he has not spoken to Attorney General Todd Blanche nor Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., about pursuing criminal charges against Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Trump’s comments came as Republican senators intensified pressure on the Justice Department to prosecute the former top infectious disease official over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last Thursday, Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding an explanation for the department’s decision not to charge Fauci. The GOP senators, led by Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, argued that Fauci misled Congress about his role in funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China. Their letter escalated months of conservative attacks on Fauci, who has become a symbol of pandemic-era government overreach for Trump and his allies.

Trump told Semafor’s Shelby Talcott in the Oval Office, “I have not spoken to them about that, no.” His statement deflected questions about whether he had directed or encouraged Blanche or Pirro to pursue charges. Pirro, a Fox News host and former Trump supporter, was confirmed as Washington’s top federal prosecutor in April after a contentious Senate confirmation battle. Republicans have praised her tough-on-crime record, while Democrats accused Trump of installing a loyalist to target political opponents. The Justice Department has previously said it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Fauci, who has denied any role in funding research that could have led to the pandemic.

The standoff raises fresh questions about whether Trump or his allies will use the levers of government to target perceived adversaries. Legal experts warn that prosecuting Fauci could set a dangerous precedent, undermining public trust in independent prosecutions. Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to keep pressing Garland for answers, with some senators threatening subpoenas if the department does not comply. Trump’s refusal to weigh in directly suggests he is content to let the political pressure build rather than take personal responsibility for the push. For Fauci, the scrutiny is unlikely to end soon, as Republicans have vowed to keep investigating his actions during the pandemic.