Congressman Daniel Webster and more than 170 Republican colleagues have sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the establishment of its Disinformation Governance Board.
“Congress never authorized the creation of this ‘Disinformation Governance Board’ or appropriate any money for its operation,” said Webster, a Republican who represents The Villages. “It is completely dystopian on its face and even more so with Nina Jankowicz at its helm. I am vehemently opposed to this board and call on the administration to dissolve this immediately.”
This letter outlines three primary concerns with the creation of the board. First, ethical concerns about an organization charged with securing the homeland engaging in activities that could impact speech. Second, Department overreach in authority as a domestically focused organization through the creation of a board that would distract from its existing missions – especially during the ongoing border crisis. Third, concerns surrounding the appointment of Jankowicz, a self-proclaimed “internationally-recognized expert on disinformation” to head the board.
Webster said she has “questionable judgment” on matters of disinformation and freedom of speech.
“For these reasons, the members requested a response from DHS to the following questions 30 days from the date of receipt of this letter,” Webster wrote.
• Under what legal authority is DHS creating this Disinformation Governance Board?
• What is the Board’s specific directive and mission? What authorities will it have under the Department?
• How does this Board help DHS protect the homeland from threats? Why is DHS putting valuable resources toward a mission that it appears to have no equity in when there is an ongoing crisis at our southern border?
• Why was Jankowicz chosen to head this Board? Who were the other candidates considered for this position? What qualifications and vetting procedures did the Department utilize when determining who would head up the Disinformation Governance Board?
Full text of the letter can be found here
