The Biden administration’s Disinformation Governance Board is being “paused,” according to a report.
The Washington Post reported the news citing multiple employees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Biden administration previously tapped Nina Jankowicz to lead the board as the executive director.
She announced her resignation from the role Wednesday.
“After six years dedicated to the study of disinformation and best practices in responding to it, I joined the Department of Homeland Security to be the executive director of the Disinformation Governance Board with the intention of supporting the Department’s important work addressing disinformation that affects the homeland,” Jankowicz said.
She added, “With the Board’s work paused and its future uncertain, and I have decided to leave DHS to return to my work in the public sphere. It is deeply disappointing that mischaracterizations of the Board became a distraction from the Department’s vital work, and indeed, along with recent events globally and nationally, embodies why it is necessary.”
Concluding her statement, Jankowicz said, “I maintain my commitment to building awareness of disinformation’s threats and trust the Department will do the same.”
Read her statement below:
Statement from @wiczipedia: "With the Board’s work paused and its future uncertain, and I have decided to leave DHS to return to my work in the public sphere. It is deeply disappointing that mischaracterizations of the Board became a distraction from the Department’s vital work" pic.twitter.com/AG8GjoFp1i
— Dustin Volz (@dnvolz) May 18, 2022
A DHS spokesperson told the Post that Jankowicz “has been subjected to unjustified and vile personal attacks and physical threats.”
The spokesperson added, “In congressional hearings and in media interviews, the Secretary has repeatedly defended her as eminently qualified and underscored the importance of the Department’s disinformation work, and he will continue to do so.”
Republicans previously expressed their concerns with the board and Jankowicz.
Mike Turner and John Katko, Republican leaders of the House Committee on Homeland Security, penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“Given the complete lack of information about this new initiative and the potential serious consequences of a government entity identifying and responding to ‘disinformation,’ we have serious concerns about the activities of this new Board, particularly under Ms. Jankowicz’s leadership,” they wrote.
The White House stressed the board would act in a “nonpartisan and apolitical manner.”
