The White House said that U.S. President Joseph Biden signed a measure on Monday to declassify COVID-19’s coronavirus origins.
Biden supported Congress’ purpose of disclosing COVID-19’s origin.
“In executing this law, my administration will declassify and release as much of that information as practicable, consistent with my constitutional responsibility to protect against the publication of material that might undermine national security,” Biden stated.
Before reaching the White House, the measure passed the Senate and House unopposed.
Since the first human cases were revealed in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, Washington has been engaged in a highly political dispute regarding the coronavirus pandemic’s origins. Biden’s colleagues, Democrats, and Republicans have called for more action against a rising China.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal claimed that the U.S. Energy Department had concluded that a Chinese laboratory leak caused the outbreak. China disputes this.
The government had “poor trust” in a confidential intelligence report. The FBI believes a lab breach caused the outbreak. Four U.S. agencies believe COVID-19 spread naturally, while two are unsure.
Several U.S. authorities say the pandemic’s roots may never be known. China dismissed suggestions that a lab leak triggered the outbreak.
In 2021, Biden ordered intelligence agencies to examine COVID-19’s origins. In addition, his administration would continue evaluating confidential material, including possible linkages to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
“We need to understand COVID-19’s roots to better avert future pandemics,” he added.
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