The Department of Homeland Security terminated its advisory committees, erasing decades of institutional experience and abruptly ending a massive investigation. in the hack linked to China American telecommunications companies, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News.
According to a note signed by Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine C. Huffmanand obtained by CBS News, the decision to disband several advisory committees is made “consistent with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to eliminating misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security.”
“I am ordering the termination of all current memberships on the DHS Advisory Committees, effective immediately,” the memo dated January 20 states.
DHS has several advisory committees, including panels that offer advice to department staff on issues such as natural disaster and emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Among them is the Cyber Safety Review Board, a body designed to mimic the National Transportation Safety Board. The group conducted a thorough investigation in the hack American telecommunications companies by Beijing actors nicknamed “Salt Typhoon”.
Described by some lawmakers as the most devastating breach in telecommunications history, the ongoing cyberespionage operation has compromised the metadata of hundreds of thousands of Americans and targeted the communications of President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and other senior government officials, CBS News previously reported. reported.
In a statement, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said the move “waves a white flag for Chinese hackers.”
“Dissolving the Cyber Safety Review Board while it is investigating the most damaging breach of the US phone system in recent memory is a huge gift to the Chinese spies who targeted Trump, JD Vance and others. “other leading political figures,” he added.
Also among the eliminated committees was the Homeland Security Advisory Council. Committee members included former Homeland Security secretaries, DEA administrators, police union presidents and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
“Future activities of the committee will be focused solely on advancing our core mission of protecting the homeland and supporting DHS’s strategic priorities,” Huffman wrote in his letter.
He said committee members were “invited to reapply.”
