PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A legislative hearing on foreign funding and national security took a controversial turn when a lawmaker questioned whether Arizona State University may have indirectly funded COVID-19.
During a House Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections Committee hearing, Republican Rep. John Gillette asked, “Just saying, did we fund a portion of COVID through ASU?”
The question came after more than 30 minutes of claims about foreign funding, research ties and national security risks involving ASU.
Foreign funding concerns
“It’s clear, the U.S. is funding defense-relevant research and is exposing our most vulnerable secrets to the People’s Republic of China through Arizona State University,” Gillette said during the hearing.
In his presentation, Gillette, who represents District 30, pointed to millions of dollars in foreign contracts, thousands of co-authored research papers and partnerships with Chinese institutions. He questioned whether the Arizona Board of Regents — the governing body over the state’s public university system — is properly vetting foreign money.
“They have really no control of the money,” Gillette said. “They don’t know where the money is.”
Pushback from Democratic lawmaker
When the discussion changed to COVID, one lawmaker pressed back.
“Was it your speculation that ASU had conspired with the Chinese Communist Party to create COVID-19 earlier?” asked Oscar De Los Santos, minority leader and Democratic state representative for District 11.
“That’s not what I said,” Gillette answered.
The exchange comes as Gillette has previously faced criticism for controversial statements — including posts last year where he used profanity while referring to Muslims as “savages” and accused Muslim immigrants of undermining the United States.
He also said a U.S. lawmaker was calling for the government to be overthrown and should be hanged.
Now Democratic lawmakers are condemning the remarks and calling for fact-based discussion. “He has a history and record of lies and violence,” said Rep. De Los Santos. “As elected officials and leaders, we have a responsibility to lead with transparency and honesty and integrity. He did none of that. There was zero evidence.”
Sen. Analise Ortiz echoed a similar sentiment. “It is deeply unserious and it’s also irresponsible,” she said. “ASU is a crucial university that does all types of research that is really important to the state of Arizona, to the country, and to the world. We are talking about research that saves people’s lives.”
Gillette provided the following statement: “My question during the hearing was a direct response to the testimony provided by the subject-matter expert. When the witness raised serious research questions regarding bioweapons, China, and research activity connected to Wuhan, it was entirely appropriate for me to ask clarifying questions about whether any Arizona-based institutions had been involved in related research or funding.
Legislative oversight requires asking difficult and sometimes uncomfortable questions, especially when public funds, public institutions, and public safety intersect. That is what the legislative process is designed for. My inquiry was not an accusation – it was a logical follow-up based on the information presented in real time during the hearing.
Any suggestion that I implied ASU was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is simply incorrect. My responsibility is to ensure transparency and accountability, and that includes examining whether Arizona taxpayer dollars supported research connected to topics that would implicate national security.”
Gillette did not provide evidence linking ASU to the creation or funding of COVID-19 and neither did the witness who spoke about bioweapons, China and research.
The university did not respond to the allegations.
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