(CNS News) -- In response to Judicial Watch's comment that the Department of Homeland Security is now operating a "Ministry of Truth," like in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, billionaire businessman Elon Musk tweeted, "This is messed up."
On Wednesday, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, testified before Congress and revealed that his department is now operating a "Disinformation Governance Board." Its alleged purpose is to monitor speech and look for “mis- and disinformation” to protect "election security" and "homeland security.”
“We have just established a mis- and disinformation governance board in the Department of Homeland Security to more effectively combat this threat not only to election security but to our homeland security,” Mayorkas told the House Homeland Security Committee.
“We are addressing all aspects of election security given, of course, the midterm elections that are upon us and the fundamental integrity of our democratic processes that is at stake,” he added.
Mayorkas' revelation was roundly denounced by many Republican lawmakers, civil libertarians, and legal experts.
"Ministry of Truth" is trending because Biden admin appointed a radical leftist to run a censorship board in the Department of Homeland Security a few days after @ElonMusk purchase of @Twitter announced.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) April 28, 2022
Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, a non-profit government watchdog, tweeted, "'Ministry of Truth'" is trending [on Twitter] because Biden admin appointed a radical leftist to run a censorship board in the Department of Homeland Security a few days after @ElonMusk purchase of @Twitter announced."
Musk's bid to purchase the globally influential social media platform was accepted by Twitter's Board of Directors. He is expected to take full control of the company in about six months, a step that leftists, many Democrats, and the liberal media have criticized.
In response to Fitton's tweet about the Disinformation Governance Board, the "Ministry of Truth," Musk replied by tweet, " This is messed up."
This is messed up
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2022
In a subsequent tweet, Fitton announced that Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit with the DHS about its "Ministry of Truth efforts to restrict and censor free speech."
On Twitter, former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said, "Every dictatorship has a propaganda arm—a 'Ministry of Truth.' The Biden Administration has now formally joined the ranks of such dictatorships with their creation of the so-called 'Disinformation Governance Board.'"
Every dictatorship has a propaganda arm—a “Ministry of Truth.” The Biden Administration has now formally joined the ranks of such dictatorships with their creation of the so-called “Disinformation Governance Board.” pic.twitter.com/iMnrqksaJJ
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) April 29, 2022
Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted, "The Biden Administration’s creation of a 'disinformation' bureau within DHS is effectively a Ministry of Truth that is alien to our constitutional tradition. Florida rejects Biden’s attempt to enforce regime-approved narratives and to stifle dissent."
The Biden Administration’s creation of a “disinformation” bureau within DHS is effectively a Ministry of Truth that is alien to our constitutional tradition.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 29, 2022
Florida rejects Biden’s attempt to enforce regime-approved narratives and to stifle dissent. pic.twitter.com/fSnU2gk97x