Bilirakis, Conservative Colleagues Fight Biden Administration’s Latest Attempt at Government Overreach – “Disinformation Governance Board”

Washington, DC: Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Scott Franklin and approximately 170 Republican colleagues recently sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the establishment of its Disinformation Governance Board.

This latest "Disinformation" scheme is yet another attempt by the Biden Administration to grow big government and censor the views of everyday Americans for their own political gain. And its shameful," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "Secretary Mayorkas needs to focus his attention on the actual policework that is needed to secure our southern border. Instead of scrutinizing American free speech rights, the American people would like him to do his job and protect our country by enforcing current laws."

In the letter, lawmakers outlined three primary concerns with creation of the Board and demanded a reply within thirty days.

• First, they expressed ethical concerns about an organization charged with securing the homeland engaging in activities that could impact speech.
• Second, the members think the Department is overstepping its authority as a domestically focused organization by creating a board that would distract from its existing missions—especially during the ongoing border crisis.
• Third, the members are concerned with the appointment of Nina Jankowicz, a self-proclaimed "internationally-recognized expert on disinformation" to head up the board. They expressed concern with Ms. Jankowicz's questionable judgment on matters of disinformation and freedom of speech.

"The creation of this Disinformation Governance Board is an alarming attempt by the Biden administration to use the Department as a political tool," said Rep. Franklin. "DHS has no business determining what is and is not disinformation. This ‘Ministry of Truth' will undermine the public's confidence in the Department's mission to protect the homeland and will tarnish its reputation. This is especially concerning as Americans continue to suffer a drug epidemic and have safety concerns with DHS's failure to properly secure our border."

"The Biden Administration's ‘Ministry of Truth' is about expanding government control and censoring speech that challenges Democrats' far-left agenda," said House Republican Whip Steve Scalise. "This Soviet-style ‘Disinformation Governance Board' would fall under the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who demonstrated a total disregard for the truth when he told Members of Congress that the Biden administration had ‘effectively managed' the crisis at the southern border. Creating a misinformation board to police speech and silence opposing views is un-American. I am proud to partner with Congressman Scott Franklin and strike back against President Biden's radical assault on the First Amendment and free speech."

To view the letter in its entirety, click here.