A Rasmussen Reports poll from Wednesday reveals that more than two-thirds of the country would favor "a full-throated" investigation into the origin of the COVID-19 virus, along with the role Dr. Anthony Fauci — the White House's leading epidemiologist — might have played in the release of the coronavirus.
According to the survey, 72% said they agreed with Congress conducting a detailed investigation into the virus's starting point. They also believe Fauci should be called in to testify.
More than half of the respondents supporting the above statement (51%) said they "strongly agreed" with Fauci being part of the COVID-19 investigation.
However, 22% also disagreed with the statement, including 13% who "strongly disagreed," according to the poll.
Among those surveyed, 68% stated it's likely the COVID-19 virus came from the Wuhan, China, virology lab, while 48% view that hypothetical as "very likely."
And just 20% of respondents said the virus didn't come from the Wuhan lab, with another 12% saying they weren't sure, according to the poll.
The Rasmussen survey chronicled the responses of 1,000 likely voters over a two-day period (Dec. 12-13). It was conducted by Public Opinion Research, LLC, with a margin-of-error rate of 3 percentage points.
Also from the poll findings, 40% believe Dr. Fauci did not tell the truth about the U.S. government either financing or conducting gain-of-function research in the Wuhan lab, when previously testifying before Congress.
Another 46% believe Fauci specifically lied about financing the research through grants made by the public health agencies he had been leading.
Political affiliation also played a key role in Fauci's perceived trust level:
Among Democrats, 61% believe Fauci told the truth when stating the government did not fund any gain-of-function research in Wuhan, compared to 72% of Republicans who assert Fauci lied, according to the poll.
Those not affiliated with either party also said they believe Fauci did not tell the truth [46%], compared to 33% who maintain the retiring doctor told the truth.
Despite thinking that Fauci was not truthful about the pandemic or its origins, 47% of respondents still hold a favorable view of Fauci — including 29% maintaining a "very favorable" outlook on Fauci.
Also, according to the survey, 44% view Fauci on unfavorable terms.
In every political category, however, the majority of respondents believe the virus originated from the Wuhan lab — with 83% of Republicans, 55% of Democrats, and 67% of unaffiliated voters stating so, the poll data shows.
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