Homeland Security head says they 'could have done a better job' explaining the 'disinformation' board

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said Sunday that the agency could have done a better job communicating the Disinformation Governance Board.

The board was announced on Wednesday and is intended to counter misinformation that poses a national security concern.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to The Associated Press that the spread of misinformation can affect border security, Americans' safety during disasters, and public trust in democratic institutions.

Conservatives criticized the board for policing speech. Some drew comparisons to George Orwell'sMinistry of Truth.

Mayorkas addressed some of those concerns in an interview on Sunday with NBC's Meet the Press.

Mayorkas said that the board could have done a better job of communicating what it is and what it isn't.

Those best practices will be shared with US officials who have the authority to fight such threats. He said that the board won't haveoperational authority.

Chuck Todd asked about the decision to have Jankowicz lead the board. Jankowicz has been accused of having a political bias.

Mayorkas said she was an expert on battling the threat of disinformation that presents a threat to the security of our homeland from Russia, China, Iran, and the like.

Mayorkas said on CNN that the board would not monitor American citizens and that it was a continuation of work done by Homeland Security before the Biden administration.