A “Disinformation Governance Board” being set up by Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security is being lambasted by Republicans, particularly given that it’s being led by a woman who once asserted Hunter Biden’s laptop was “disinformation.”
According to the DHS, the agency is intended to combat “misinformation” online.”
However, during a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Republicans grilled DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the “just established” board and the woman running it.
The new board is set to be directed by Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation fellow with the Wilson Center.
She notoriously downplayed Hunter Biden’s laptop throughout 2020 and 2021, calling it likely “a Russian influence op.”
IC has a high degree of confidence that the Kremlin used proxies to push influence narratives, including misleading or unsubstantiated claims about President Biden, to US media, officials, and influencers, some close to President Trump.
A clear nod to the alleged Hunter laptop.
— Nina Jankowicz 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@wiczipedia) March 16, 2021
The board is set to fight so-called “disinformation” in the run-up to the midterm elections in 2022, including involving Russia and “irregular migration.”
Republicans were furious with the choice of Janckowicz, however — as well as the Orwellian nature of the board.
“Biden’s Department of Homeland Security just selected this woman to lead its ‘Disinformation’ Unit,” GOP Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona tweeted, along with her tweet claiming Hunter Biden’s laptop was a “Russian influence op.”
“Looks like she has to counter her own disinformation!”
Biden’s Department of Homeland Security just selected this woman to lead its “Disinformation” Unit.
Looks like she has to counter her own disinformation! pic.twitter.com/CUnQaCwrcy
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) April 27, 2022
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz echoed similar sentiments.
Speaking of disinformation: https://t.co/GlZsgJm2eV pic.twitter.com/9myHFGaEux
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 27, 2022
GOP Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, meanwhile, had a pithy comment about the timing.
“They didn’t need a ‘Disinformation Governance Board’ until @elonmusk threatened their control over the narrative,” he tweeted.
They didn't need a 'Disinformation Governance Board' until @elonmusk threatened their control over the narrative.
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) April 27, 2022
South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, meanwhile, noted how loosely the Democrats tend to interpret the term “misinformation.”
“Liberals use the phony term ‘misinformation’ to smear those who hold any opinion that differs from their elitist, progressive worldview,” he tweeted.
“This is an Orwellian abuse of power by Biden DHS against Americans’ right to free speech.”
Liberals use the phony term “misinformation” to smear those who hold any opinion that differs from their elitist, progressive worldview. This is an Orwellian abuse of power by Biden DHS against Americans’ right to free speech. https://t.co/vyWvouC6ZL
— Jim DeMint (@JimDeMint) April 27, 2022
Perhaps most brutally, however, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri noted Mayorkas was prioritizing this over border security.
Rather than police our border, Homeland Security has decided to make policing Americans’ speech its top priority. They’re creating a Disinformation Board. No, really. And take a look at the views of the leftist radical running it pic.twitter.com/70hM1Cle3Q
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) April 27, 2022
“Rather than police our border, Homeland Security has decided to make policing Americans’ speech its top priority. They’re creating a Disinformation Board. No, really. And take a look at the views of the leftist radical running it,” he tweeted.
According to the U.K. Daily Mail, while the board won’t have the power to police speech, it can throw money at areas it considers “disinformation” threats.