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The United States has funded more than 120 biological laboratories across over 30 countries, with some facilities conducting research involving hazardous pathogens and gain-of-function studies under limited oversight, outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard alleged Friday.
The claims accompanied newly declassified material that Gabbard said sheds light on a long-running network of U.S-funded laboratories operating overseas.
"The information surrounding the existence, history, locations and funding of these U.S-funded biolabs has been intentionally covered up by powerful people," Gabbard said. She argued that those who questioned the programs were often accused of acting on behalf of foreign interests.
Gabbard alleged that some of the facilities conducted research involving hazardous and highly contagious pathogens, including gain-of-function studies, which modify organisms to enhance existing traits or create new ones.
Many of the laboratories, she claimed, operated with little public visibility or oversight despite the potential risks associated with such research. The intelligence chief also cited President Donald Trump's May 2025 executive order ending federal funding for gain-of-function research worldwide.
"President Trump understands the serious threat dangerous Gain-of-Function research poses to the American people," Gabbard said, describing the executive order as a response to those concerns.
She also accused politicians, public health officials and members of the Biden administration's national security team of misleading the public about the existence of U.S-funded laboratories overseas. Gabbard specifically referenced former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci in her criticism.
Alongside her allegations, Gabbard released declassified records describing a U.S.-supported laboratory network in Ukraine. The material states that more than 40 laboratories in the country received assistance under the Department of Defense's Biological Threat Reduction Program and includes detailed information on four facilities.
According to the documents, U.S. intelligence agencies previously assessed that at least one of the laboratories likely housed dangerous pathogens and remained vulnerable to attack, seizure or damage during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Gabbard also directed intelligence agencies to expand collection efforts on overseas laboratories and research facilities, saying the initiative has already uncovered additional information on clinical trials underway at some sites.
She said intelligence agencies would continue working with government partners to identify the laboratories, determine what pathogens they contain and examine any activities linked to gain-of-function research.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and Iraq War veteran, was appointed Director of National Intelligence by President Donald Trump in 2025. She announced her resignation in May, citing her husband's diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer, and is due to leave the post later this month.
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