WASHINGTON (TND) — The woman set to head the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board has a history of controversial public statements and her critics say she has also pushed some disinformation herself.
Nina Jankowicz is making headlines as tweets from recent years have resurfaced, touching on everything from the 2016 presidential election to mask-wearing at the start of the pandemic — information that has since been proven to be incorrect.
In a resurfaced video, Jankowicz also spoke about critical race theory, saying some of those engaged in the issue are exploiting disinformation for profit.
“Critical race theory has become one of those hot button issues that Republicans and other disinformers have seized on,” Jankowicz said.
The White House has come to her defense.
“She’s an expert on online disinformation. She was formerly a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas came under fire by Republicans during a Senate hearing over Jankowicz’s credibility.
“You have chosen Ms. Jankowicz, who says that the distinction between free speech and censorship is false, who says that the president's supporters are homegrown purveyors of disinformation,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
Mayorkas was also questioned about what the department knew about her before she was hired.
“Did it know that she had said that Mr. Hunter Biden's laptop is Russian disinformation?” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
“I was not aware of that. We do not discuss the internal hiring process,” Mayorkas said.
Republicans are likening the board to the “Ministry of Truth” in George Orwell’s 1984, with growing concerns about privacy and Americans’ rights to free speech.
A group of 20 states’ attorneys general signed a letter urging Mayorkas to disband the board, saying they’ll have no choice but to pursue legal action if he doesn’t.
Mayorkas said the board was created to help combat disinformation ahead of this year’s midterms and will not monitor Americans or have operational authority but will instead serve in a more advisory role.
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