Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on Aug. 23 sent a letter (pdf) to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, demanding that he take immediate steps to preserve all records and information related to Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins. The request came a day after Fauci’s announcement that he would step down from his leadership position at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Collins is NIH Director, while Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Marshall sought “all documents, records, memoranda, research, correspondence, or other communication or any portion thereof relevant to any involvement of Dr. Fauci or Dr. Collins,” according to the letter. Marshall also called on the agency to ensure that its staff would collect, retain, and preserve all related documents, communications, and other records.
“I ask that you immediately confirm that HHS is preserving these records by providing all orders, notices, and guidance given to all HHS staff regarding preservation of information related to these matters and individuals,” the senator stated in the letter. He asked the health agency to warn its staff against concealing or destroying the requested records, noting that this could result in a fine and imprisonment for up to three years.