DHS Says There’s ‘No Need’ For Disinformation Board

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decided that it no longer needs its Disinformation Governance Board after facing intense backlash.

“We have now had briefings on the relevant disinformation-related activities of the Department. We are not ready, as of yet, to provide recommendations on the Department’s most effective approach to disinformation threats, including commitments to increase transparency and protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy,” a DHS report released Monday stated.

“However, at this point, we have concluded that there is no need for a Disinformation Governance Board,” the report added.

A DHS spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will meet with the chairs of the group “to discuss their recommendation and looks forward to their more comprehensive final report and recommendations regarding the work overall, which are expected to be delivered in August.”

Since its formation, the board has faced backlash from Republicans, who claimed it infringed on free speech rights and took issue with its head, Nina Jankowicz, who’s spread misinformation in the past.

Jankowicz previously dismissed the validity of the Hunter Biden laptop story, calling it a “Trump campaign product.” She also previously tied the COVID-19 lab leak theory as a tool of former President Donald Trump and his administration.

But Mayorkas assured the public in a May interview with CNN host Dana Bash that the “board does not have any operational authority or capability” to monitor U.S. citizens.

Jankowicz resigned and the board was put on pause in May.

Mayorkas announced the formation of the board in April to tackle disinformation and misinformation from Russia and related to the southern border.

Jankowicz didn’t respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.