CNN’s Bash Presses Mayorkas on Biden’s ‘Disinformation Board’

In light of the controversy surrounding the Biden administration’s creation of a “Disinformation board” which is eerily similar to the Ministry of Truth in the novel 1984, CNN’s Dana Bash while hosting State of the UnionAlejandro Mayorkas from the Department of Homeland Security, was questioned by him over Orwellian sounds. 

Bash asked Mayorkas questions about the crisis at the southern frontier. ”The disinformation governance committee. This week, you revealed it. Republicans refer to it as Orwellian. They compare it to the Ministry of Truth in “1984”. Please clarify. How will it monitor American citizens?” Will it monitor American citizens?” 

Mayorkas disagreed with this characterization, asserting that “those criticisms are precisely the opposite of what this small working group within the Department of Homeland Security will do.”Then he repeated a typical Democrat line they use to explain why their policies don’t seem popular. “I think we probably could have done a better job of communicating what it does and does not do”. 

After claiming that the Department of Homeland Security “has been addressing it for years” and that the main “disinformation” threat they are monitoring is from “Russia, China, [and] Iran”Bash was furious and pushed back. “we know the problems but it’s still not clear to me how this governance board will act. What will it do?”

Mayorkas stated the purpose of disinformation boards in bureaucratic gibberish. He mumbled that they were for information purposes. “works to ensure that the way in which we address threats, the connectivity between threats and acts of violence are addressed without infringing on free speech.”  

Bash, however, was much more worried about whether American citizens would have their privacy monitored. Mayorkas insisted that they wouldn’t because “we in the Department of Homeland Security don’t monitor American citizens.” 

Mayorkas was asked whether Nina Jankowicz would act neutrally in her leadership role on the disinformation board. Mayorkas insisted she “Imminently qualified”You can also find out more about a “renowned expert in the field of disinformation.”Bash did not answer the question. Bash then asked Mayorkas again if Mayorkas would be neutral. Mayorkas said she would. 

Bash asked Bash if he would feel comfortable if Donald Trump were President. Mayorkas created a disinformation Board and never directly answered. Instead, he rant about the problems with the board “gathers together best practices”Protecting the environment through work “right of free speech”And “civil liberties”The board has been an “extraordinarily important endeavor.” 

We all know the answer to Bash’s question. If Donald Trump created a board to combat “disinformation” Mayorkas and everyone else involved in this plot would be on CNN wailing about how Orwellian it is. 

To read the relevant transcript click “expand”:

CNN’s State of the Union
5/1/2022
Eastern, 9:09:09

DANA BASH? Let’s get to the point. It is a topic you have been calling your disinformation governance board. This week, you revealed it. Republicans refer to it as Orwellian. They compare it to the Ministry of Truth in “1984”. Please clarify. How will it monitor American citizens? It will monitor American citizens. 

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS:  Dana, I’m very pleased to do so. It is clear that those critics, as I understand it, are exactly the opposite of the work of the Department of Homeland Security’s small group. It is possible that we could do a better job communicating the department’s goals and objectives. 

We have to tackle disinformation which poses a danger to national security. This department has dealt with it over the years. In an ongoing manner throughout the previous administration. Information from Russia, China and Iran.

BASH: Right. Although we know what the issues are, it is still unclear to me how the governance board will address them. It will do what?

MAYORKAS – This is how it ensures that we can address threats, the connection between acts of violence and threats without violating freedom speech. Protection of civil rights and civil liberties. Privacy. The board and this internal working group will use best practices as a guideline for the operation. 

BASH: American Citizens Will Be Monitored? 

MAYORKAS: No.

BASH: We guarantee that

MAYORKAS: We don’t have the authority to monitor American citizens. 

BASH 

MAYORKAS (NOT ACTIVATED): The board has no operational power or authority. The board will collect best practices from other countries to address the disinformation threat from their adversaries. This information will be shared with cartel operators.

BASH: Republicans have criticized the decision of your administration to pick Nina Jankowicz for this position. They claim she’s not neutral. Is that your answer? 

MAYORKAS – A renowned disinformation expert, who is soon to be qualified. 

BASH: And neutral? 

MAYORKAS – Absolutely. 

BASH

MAYORKAS, I think that the working group, which gathers best practices and makes sure our work is coordinated with these best practices. This ensures that we are protecting civil liberties, free speech rights, and civil liberties. It’s a very important task.