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It was the latest effort by the Department of Homeland Security to quell concerns about the new initiative, which was announced last week and swiftly prompted Republican objections.
During a Senate appropriations committee hearing Wednesday, Mayorkas pushed back on assertions that the group would be “the truth police,” in an exchange with Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana.
“That is the farthest thing from the truth. We protect the security of the homeland, and once again, allow me to articulate what I have said previously, which is that the working group does not have operational capability and authority,” Mayorkas said. “It is to make sure that there are policies in place, standards in place, to protect the very rights about which you inquire.”
The Disinformation Governance Board, an interagency team, coordinates department activities related to disinformation aimed at the US population and infrastructure. Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert with experience working on Ukraine and Russia issues, was tapped to helm the board, along with two senior DHS officials, including acting Principal Deputy General Counsel Jen Daskal.
Mayorkas has defended the hiring, calling Jankowicz “imminently qualified.”
Republicans, including Reps. John Katko of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio, have criticized the board and sent a letter to Mayorkas raising “serious concerns” with the initiative under Jankowicz. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri also wrote to Mayorkas, arguing the board is “dangerous and un-American” and calling for it to be dissolved.
On Wednesday, Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia expressed concern about the initiative and told Mayorkas during the hearing that “now is a good time to abandon this ludicrous and much maligned idea.”