Newly released text messages suggest Anthony Fauci privately worried the COVID vaccine could cause miscarriages even as he publicly told pregnant women it was safe — bad news for Fauci and for trust in public health officials.

• In early 2021, Fauci reportedly texted the CDC director and incoming surgeon general that a strong immune reaction after a second mRNA dose could theoretically trigger a first-trimester miscarriage.
• Days later he told the public there were no red flags and that pregnant women clearly should get vaccinated, never mentioning the private concern.
• The texts came out after Republican senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul got Fauci's phone — 34,000 messages, only a handful released so far.
• Critics say women made pregnancy decisions based on his public reassurances, with billionaire Bill Ackman saying he and his wife suffered seven miscarriages during COVID.
• Calls are growing for Fauci to face criminal charges, though he holds a broad pardon dating back to 2014.

Outlook: Expect more of the messages to be released and louder demands for investigations, though the existing pardon makes any federal charges a steep climb.