The controversial Disinformation Governance Board recently formed under President Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security is the continuation of an effort launched under former President Donald Trump, the White House said on Friday.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the board’s existence during a hearing before Congress on Wednesday. It will be led by Nina Jankowicz, who has a history of sharing misleading claims about British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s discredited dossier and downplaying controversy embroiling Biden‘s son.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday that she supported the board and wasn’t familiar with Jankowicz. On Friday, she added more information — including that the board’s mission is not new.
“What I will tell you about the board and what the board is doing — this is a continuation of work that began in the DHS in 2020 under former President Trump,” said Psaki.
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She also touted Jankowicz’s credentials, saying she’s an expert in online disinformation who has testified before Congress and has advised the Ukrainian foreign minister.
“Any hiring decisions are up to DHS, but this is a person with extensive qualifications,” said Psaki.
Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich pressed Psaki on a TikTok post that Jankowicz authored in which the disinformation expert reportedly wrote, “They’re laundering misinfo. We should really take note and not support their lies with our wallet, voice, or vote.”
“We have someone from DHS telling people how they should vote,” the reporter said. “How do you explain that to critics who say, ‘That doesn’t sound right to me’?”
Psaki countered that Jankowicz would simply oversee the board’s work and pointed back to its mission.
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The Disinformation Governance Board will help DHS track and respond to disinformation in ways that protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, according to the press secretary, helping the agency address terrorism and cross-border smuggling.
