Daily Mail
The Department of Homeland Security is ‘pausing’ its controversial disinformation board just three weeks after it was unveiled following withering attacks from Republicans and conservative TV pundits.
It was intended to combat misinformation but critics quickly homed in on the role of its chief, Nina Jankowicz, and her history fighting disinformation and extremism.
In particular, they questioned her expertise after it emerged she had dismissed the 2020 discovery of Hunter Biden‘s laptop as being a ‘Trump campaign product.’
And in 2016 she spread claims about then candidate Donald Trump’s links to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which have since been debunked.
Multiple sources told the Washington Post that the Department of Homeland Security decided on Monday to close its Disinformation Governance Board and that Jankowicz, 33, had drafted a resignation letter.
But by the end of Tuesday she and the board had won a reprieve, although it could yet be shut down.
‘Nina Jankowicz has been subjected to unjustified and vile personal attacks and physical threats,’ a DHS spokesperson told The Post in a statement.
‘In congressional hearings and in media interviews, the secretary has repeatedly defended her as eminently qualified and underscored the importance of the department’s disinformation work, and he will continue to do so.’ ‘
The Republican National Committee dubbed the committee the ‘Ministry of Truth’ in a nod to George Orwell’s novel ‘1984,’ and raised fears that the group will deem as disinformation ‘any speech we don’t like.’
But officials insisted it would protect speech.
‘The board’s purpose has been grossly mischaracterized; it will not police speech,’ the DHS spokesperson said. ‘Quite the opposite, its focus is to ensure that freedom of speech is protected.’
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was grilled about the board and its personnel during an appearance before senators.
‘Do you think the American people are so stupid they need you to tell them what the truth is?’ asked Sen. Rand Paul.
‘You can’t even admit what the truth is with the Steele Dossier. I don’t trust government to figure out what…
