FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) released the following statements after reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will disband its so-called “Intelligence Experts Group” after massive public outcry, oversight by the Committee, and a lawsuit against the Biden administration:
“The fact that DHS so quickly disbanded the ‘Intelligence Experts Group’ following this Committee’s rigorous oversight work and a private lawsuit shows how much they fear Americans knowing the truth about their actions,” Chairman Green said. “DHS’ decision to appoint and empower individuals who spread the Russia collusion hoax shows the Biden administration’s disregard for the truth. This Committee will continue to root out any departmental effort that undermines the homeland security mission in favor of blatant partisan corruption—whether it takes the form of official boards or not.”
“I’m pleased to learn that DHS is disbanding the blatantly biased ‘Intelligence Experts Group,” Chairman Pfluger said. “This decision comes after extensive oversight efforts by our Committee, including actions to prevent the group from receiving federal funding and investigations into the group’s activities. Our efforts have led to not only the halt of the Experts Group but the dissolution of the radical ‘Disinformation Governance Board’ as well. We are committed to protecting the voices of Americans and ensuring DHS is focused on securing the homeland with impartiality and objectivity amidst ever-evolving threats.”
Background:
In March 2024, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger held a roundtable for members of the Committee to hear from key experts and stakeholders regarding the activities of DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), while exploring potential legislative reforms. Members heard from Triana McNeil, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Team, at the Government Accountability Office; John Cohen, Executive Director, Program for Countering Hybrid Threats, at the Center for Internet Security; Mike Sena, Executive Director, Northern California Regional Intelligence Center and President of the National Network of Fusion Center Association; and Spencer Reynolds, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty, National Security Program.
In September 2023, Chairman Green and Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger demanded answerson the appointment of former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan to DHS’ newly-formed Homeland Intelligence Experts Group. The group was ostensibly created to provide advice to DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), yet in 2020, Brennan and Clapper incorrectly implied the New York Post’s reporting on Hunter Biden’s political influence peddling was the product of Russian disinformation. Committee Republicans, led by Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger, later introduced legislation to block funding for the establishment of the group or the formation of any group, program, initiative, or other similar effort that is equivalent to the group.
In August 2023, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger and Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas seeking information on the limited number of security clearances issued by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement partners in communities across the country.
Following reports of possible violations of Americans’ civil liberties by the Office’s Overt Human Intelligence Collection Program, Chairmen Green and Pfluger were joined by Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Dan Bishop (R-NC) on a letter to Secretary Mayorkas in March 2023, demanding answers and a congressional briefing on the department’s possible overreach of its statutory mandate. This investigation followed a February 2023 letter from the Committee, which requested a status update and any preliminary findings regarding DHS’ ongoing “360” review of the office. The Committee continues to engage with the Department amidst its important oversight work concerning I&A.
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