Written by Nathaniel Brooks.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci on March 11, 2025, suggesting that former President Joe Biden’s preemptive pardon might unleash a wave of state-level legal scrutiny against the ex-COVID chief—a twist that’s got adults across the nation rethinking accountability in public health. For anyone who’s tracked the pandemic’s fallout or questioned government moves, this isn’t just a jab; it’s a signal that Fauci’s story might not end with federal immunity.

DeSantis Questions Biden’s Pardon Play

During a press conference, a reporter lobbed DeSantis a curveball: Biden’s pardon shields Fauci from federal heat, but what about the states? “Good question,” he replied, then pivoted to recent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) findings—$180,000 for an NIH Fauci tribute. “What the hell are they commemorating?” he asked. “At best, he botched it—Super Bowl of public health, and he fumbled.” For a nurse in Miami or a parent in Tampa, it’s a dig that lands—Fauci’s TV blitz outshone his data dives.

DeSantis didn’t stop there. “Had Biden not pardoned him, I don’t think you would have seen the states really do this,” he said, arguing the feds—under Trump—would’ve taken the lead. But Biden’s move? “It made it more likely that states are going to look into it.” He’s betting juries outside D.C.’s “swamp”—web stats say 92% voted Biden in 2020—won’t play ball. “If the jury is comprised of the swamp, they will acquit,” he warned—Florida’s AG, Ashley Moody, might disagree.

The pardon’s odd—web law blogs say preemptive ones are rare, last big batch from Ford for Nixon’s crew in ’74. DeSantis sees a backfire: “It may have sparked state-based efforts to ensure his accountability.” He’s not alone—web chatter flags Missouri and Texas AGs sniffing around Fauci’s gain-of-function ties, post-pardon.

Fauci’s Record: Leadership or Liability?

DeSantis painted Fauci’s pandemic run grim. “He was on TV—I’ve never seen anyone do more interviews,” he quipped. “Why isn’t he looking at the data? Because he’s always giving interviews.” Web tallies back it—Fauci hit 200+ TV spots in 2020, per Media Matters, while Florida’s own dashboard lagged NIH updates. “At best, you have to admit he got it wrong when this country was looking for leadership,” DeSantis said—no mention of masks or lockdowns, but the sting’s clear.

Then there’s DOGE—web leaks say Musk’s crew found $312 million in SBA loans to kids under 11, $333 million to “owners” over 115, and $500 million to a Biden-tied migrant flop in Texas. Fauci’s $180,000 NIH bash fits the pattern—waste, not wisdom. For a small business owner who fought for PPP scraps or a retiree in Orlando, it’s a question: was Fauci a hero or a hype man?

Gain-of-function’s the shadow—web digs show NIH funded $3.7 million to Wuhan labs through EcoHealth, 2014-2019; Fauci swore it wasn’t risky in 2021 Senate grilling. DeSantis sidestepped it, but “treachery” hints he’s not letting it slide. States like Florida—web stats: 60% GOP voters—could chase that thread where D.C. won’t.

Pardon’s Fallout: Legal Leverage Shifts

Journalist Matt Taibbi, on Tucker Carlson’s podcast last month, called Biden’s pardons—for Fauci, Liz Cheney, others—a misstep. “They just made it a lot easier for us to find out,” he told Carlson. How? “Once the pardon’s delivered, the person can’t plead the Fifth,” he explained—grand juries, Congress, no dodge. Web law backs it—post-pardon, self-incrimination’s off the table; Fauci’d have to talk if hauled in.

DeSantis sees the trap. “If Trump had pursued charges in D.C., they protect the swamp,” he said—web jury pools there lean 90% Dem. But Florida? Missouri? Texas? “Those jury pools gonna be a lot different,” he noted—60-65% red, per 2024 exit polls. For a cop in Jacksonville or a clerk in Tallahassee, it’s a flip—Biden’s shield might’ve handed states a sword.

It’s not hypothetical—web buzz says Missouri AG Andrew Bailey’s eyed Fauci since 2023 over NIH funding; Texas AG Ken Paxton’s probed mask mandates since 2022. Biden’s pardon—December 2024, per web leaks—covered “pandemic acts,” but states can still chase fraud or negligence. DeSantis isn’t committing—“very possible” Moody digs in—but he’s betting it’s not over.

Our Take

DeSantis’s Fauci jab is a live wire—Biden’s pardon lit a fuse, and states might blow it wide open. He’s right: D.C.’s swamp jury—92% blue—would’ve tanked any Trump charge; Florida’s 60% red pool won’t. DOGE’s $180,000 NIH find—$645 million total waste—nails Fauci’s era as sloppy at best, shady at worst. Gain-of-function’s the ghost—$3.7 million to Wuhan’s no footnote—and states can chase it where feds can’t.

Here’s the catch: legal juice needs meat—Taibbi’s Fifth Amendment point bites, but fraud or “treachery” wants hard proof, not quips. Moody’s got legs—web says Florida’s AG budget jumped 10% in 2024—but Missouri or Texas might outpace her; Bailey’s hungry. Biden’s shield backfired—scrutiny’s up, not down—and DeSantis’s “boomerang” call might stick. This ain’t done; it’s a state-level reckoning if AGs swing. Fauci’s not off the hook—watch the red states.