Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has made public a set of declassified intelligence findings that shed new light on the scope of U.S.-supported biological research facilities operating around the world. The information, released on June 12, 2026, indicates that the United States has provided funding for more than 120 laboratories located across over 30 countries, prompting renewed debate about oversight, transparency, and the risks associated with advanced pathogen research.
Announcing the release on social media, Gabbard said the disclosure supports President Donald Trump’s policy aimed at ending federal funding for potentially dangerous gain-of-function research. She emphasized that increasing public awareness and government accountability remains a priority, adding that intelligence agencies will continue investigating the locations of these facilities, the pathogens they handle, and the nature of the scientific work being conducted within them.
According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the newly released information is the result of an extensive review of Intelligence Community records carried out over several months. The documents suggest that numerous laboratories receiving U.S. support have conducted studies involving highly infectious and potentially hazardous pathogens. Some of the research activities reportedly included gain-of-function experiments, which modify organisms to better understand how diseases spread or evolve. The report argues that several of these projects operated with limited public visibility and insufficient oversight mechanisms.
Particular attention was directed toward laboratories located in Ukraine. The intelligence assessment states that facilities in the country have faced elevated risks due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Officials noted that earlier intelligence reviews had identified concerns that certain laboratories housed dangerous biological materials and could become vulnerable to damage, seizure, or disruption amid military operations.
Gabbard also alleged that significant information regarding the existence, funding, and operations of these facilities had not been fully disclosed to the public. She claimed that influential figures within previous administrations, including members of national security agencies and public health leadership, had dismissed concerns about the laboratories and criticized individuals who questioned their activities.
The disclosure aligns with Executive Order 14292, signed by President Trump in May 2025, which seeks to halt federal support for gain-of-function research worldwide. As part of that initiative, Gabbard has instructed intelligence agencies to expand information-gathering efforts related to overseas biological research sites. According to the ODNI, these investigations are already uncovering additional details regarding clinical research programs and other activities that officials believe warrant closer examination due to potential ethical, financial, and security implications.
