Gabbard Says U.S. Funded More Than 120 Overseas Biolabs, Including Facilities in Ukraine

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Friday that her office has uncovered newly declassified evidence showing the U.S. government funded more than 120 biological laboratories in more than 30 countries, including facilities in Ukraine that officials previously warned could be vulnerable amid Russia’s ongoing war.

Gabbard said the discovery came after months of searching through intelligence community files and holdings, calling the release part of a broader effort to expose the scope of U.S.-backed biological research overseas and tighten oversight of dangerous pathogen programs.

“Today, I’m releasing never before seen intelligence revealing new evidence of past U.S. government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries, including Ukraine,” Gabbard said.

According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, some of the laboratories have conducted research involving hazardous and highly contagious pathogens. In certain cases, officials said the work may have included gain-of-function research — experiments that modify pathogens to study how they could become more transmissible or dangerous.

Gabbard said intelligence assessments previously found that at least one U.S.-funded laboratory in Ukraine likely housed dangerous pathogens and remained at risk of Russian attack, seizure, or accidental damage.

The disclosure revives a politically charged debate that has simmered since the COVID-19 pandemic over government transparency, biological research, and whether U.S. taxpayer dollars helped support risky research programs with inadequate public oversight.

Gabbard accused previous officials of withholding information about the laboratories from the American people and of attacking those who raised questions about them.

“Until now, evidence regarding the full existence and funding of these laboratories had been knowingly withheld from the American people,” Gabbard said.

She also criticized former public health officials and members of the Biden administration’s national security team, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, accusing them of misleading the public about the existence and scope of U.S.-funded overseas biological laboratories.

The ODNI did not publicly identify every facility involved or list all pathogens reportedly housed in the laboratories. However, Gabbard said her office has directed intelligence agencies to increase collection and monitoring related to overseas biological labs, including their locations, funding streams, research activities, and potential national security risks.

The release comes as President Donald Trump’s administration moves to restrict federal funding for gain-of-function research worldwide. Gabbard pointed to Trump’s executive order ending taxpayer support for such research abroad, saying the administration is responding to what it views as a serious threat to public safety.

Gabbard pledged that ODNI would continue working with federal partners to determine where the laboratories are located, what pathogens they contain, and whether any research poses ethical, financial, or national security concerns.

“ODNI will continue to work closely with partners across the government to identify where these labs are, what pathogens they contain, and to end dangerous gain-of-function research that threatens the health and wellbeing of the American people and people around the world,” she said.

Today, I’m releasing never before seen intelligence revealing new evidence of past US government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries, including Ukraine.

In support of President Trump‘s Executive Order to end federal funding of dangerous gain of function… pic.twitter.com/RkPHnAbka9

— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 12, 2026

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