“Those criticisms are precisely the opposite of what this small working group within the Department of Homeland Security will do,” Mayorkas added.
He conceded that “we probably could have done a better job of communicating what it does and does not do.”
He could not give a specific answer as to how the Board would tackle disinformation. And claimed the internal working group will “draw from best practices” that do not infringe on the rights of free speech and privacy.
Mayorkas continued to side-step specifics. When Bash asked again if American citizens will be monitored; Mayorkas answered in the negative.
“Can you guarantee that?” Bash persisted. The Secretary did not answer directly. Instead, he claimed the board has no “operational authority or capability” and will just relay information it gathers to DHS officials who have been handling security threats for years.
Head of Board political past
Mayorkas also defended the decision to appoint Nina Jankowicz as the head of the Board. Jankowicz is an author who writes about disinformation. Many Republicans have complained she is not “neutral.” And point to her public attacks on coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop.
