Gabbard lifts the lid on America’s vast network of bio labs: Ukraine highlights funding of more than 120 labs in more than 30 countries over the years
outgoing director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard Unveiling newly declassified intelligence on Friday, she said it showed the U.S. government had long-term funding for more than 120 biolabs in more than 30 countries, including facilities in Ukraine.
The disclosure was made while serving as President Donald TrumpAdministration pushes to end federal funding for certain projects Gain-of-function studies projects and strengthen supervision of overseas biological research projects.
Gabbard announced the news on social media, saying the documents contained “never-before-seen intelligence” about U.S. funding of overseas biolabs. She said the disclosure supports President Donald Trump’s efforts to increase transparency and end federal funding for globally dangerous gain-of-function research.
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What did Gabbard reveal?
According to the latest published information, U.S.-funded laboratories operate in more than 30 countries.
Gabbard accused government officials, health authorities and members of previous administrations of misleading Americans about the existence of U.S.-funded overseas biolabs. She singled out former White House officials and public health data while arguing for the need for greater oversight.
“To date, evidence regarding the full existence and funding of these laboratories has been deliberately withheld from the American people,” she said.
The disclosure singled out Ukraine, where intelligence officials have previously warned that some laboratories could be at risk of being seized during a military conflict and a Russian invasion. “The intelligence community has previously warned that U.S.-funded Ukrainian biological laboratories may be harboring dangerous pathogens,” Gabbard said.
However, the statement did not publicly name all the labs or provide details on each facility’s research activities.
Intelligence chiefs also announced new guidance for the intelligence community to increase information collection from overseas laboratories. She said the work has yielded additional information about research projects and clinical trials taking place at some facilities.
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Trump reverses gain-of-function policy
This disclosure follows Executive Order 14292, signed by Trump on May 25, 2025. The order seeks to end federal funding for gain-of-function research conducted abroad.
“President Trump understands the serious threat that gain-of-function research poses to the American people, which is why he is taking decisive action to end federal funding for gain-of-function research around the world,” Gabbard said in a statement.
Gain-of-function research involves modifying pathogens to better understand how diseases spread, evolve, or become more dangerous.
“Despite the potentially catastrophic global impact of research on dangerous pathogens in biolabs, politicians, so-called health professionals like Dr. Fauci, and entities within the Biden administration’s national security team lied to the American people about the existence of U.S.-funded and supported biolabs and threatened those who tried to reveal the truth,” Gabbard said.
The matter has been politically divisive since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Issues surrounding laboratory research, pathogen safety and government oversight have sparked debate in Congress and the intelligence community.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said it will continue to work with other federal agencies to identify these laboratories, determine what pathogens they contain and assess ongoing research activities.
