A Biden administration official who helped create the infamous “Disinformation Governance Board” has been quietly appointed as an adviser to the nation’s most sensitive surveillance court, raising serious alarms among Republican lawmakers about potential political bias infiltrating FISA warrant oversight.
Controversial Biden Official Moves to FISA Oversight Role
Jennifer Daskal, the Biden administration official instrumental in establishing the Department of Homeland Security’s short-lived Disinformation Governance Board, has been appointed as an adviser to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The FISC oversees FISA warrants used for foreign surveillance operations.
Daskal played a key role in selecting Nina Jankowicz as the board’s director in 2022, a choice that sparked immediate controversy before the board collapsed under public pressure within months. The appointment raises questions about judgment and impartiality in sensitive national security positions.
Troubling Anti-Trump Advocacy History Surfaces
Daskal’s background reveals concerning partisan positions that directly conflict with impartial oversight responsibilities. In 2017, she publicly advocated for investigating then-President Trump for obstruction of justice during the Russia probe. More troubling, she openly supported former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who himself faced investigation for lying about media leaks.
McCabe authorized the use of the discredited Steele dossier in obtaining FISA warrants against Trump campaign associate Carter Page, warrants later revealed to contain significant errors and omissions. This history demonstrates a pattern of activism rather than objective legal analysis.
FISA Abuse Concerns Return to Spotlight
The appointment resurrects painful memories of FISA process abuses that plagued the Trump administration. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court relies on advisers to provide legal guidance on warrant applications involving foreign intelligence gathering. Given the documented abuses during Russiagate, where surveillance powers were weaponized against American citizens based on politically motivated and unverified information, placing someone with Daskal’s history in this advisory role undermines confidence in reformed oversight mechanisms. Republicans rightly question whether someone who championed investigating Trump can fairly advise on surveillance matters potentially involving conservative targets.
Disinformation Board’s Failed Legacy
The Disinformation Governance Board itself stands as a cautionary tale of government overreach masquerading as public protection. Announced by DHS in April 2022, the board claimed to coordinate efforts against disinformation threats without enforcement powers. Critics immediately recognized it as a potential censorship apparatus threatening First Amendment rights.
Nina Jankowicz, Daskal’s hand-picked director, lasted only three weeks before resigning in May 2022 amid bipartisan backlash. DHS disbanded the entire operation by August 2022. The board’s rapid collapse revealed the Biden administration’s poor judgment in both concept and personnel selection, yet Daskal faced no apparent consequences.
FISA court judges appoint Biden’s head of the Disinformation Governance Board, Jennifer Daska, as a FISA court advisor. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley not pleased.
Jennifer Daskal helped select the board's controversial director, Nina Jankowicz, and will now…
— Bad Kitty Unleashed 🦁 💪🏻 (@pepesgrandma) February 17, 2026
Pattern of Politicized National Security Appointments
This appointment fits a disturbing pattern of politicizing institutions meant to protect Americans impartially. Congressional Republicans have conducted extensive investigations into DHS and CISA’s roles in the alleged “weaponization” of government against conservatives, including coordination with social media companies to suppress lawful speech. House Judiciary Committee probes revealed concerning partnerships between government agencies and private entities targeting Americans’ constitutionally protected expression. Daskal’s move from the failed Disinformation Board to FISC oversight suggests the Biden administration learned nothing from these controversies. Instead of accountability, officials involved in questionable programs receive promotions to even more sensitive positions.
Implications for Surveillance Integrity
The timing of the appointment carries significant implications for ongoing FISA reform debates and public trust in surveillance oversight. Americans concerned about civil liberties and government abuse of power have legitimate reasons to be alarmed when partisan actors gain influence over surveillance processes.
The FISA system already suffered severe credibility damage from Russiagate abuses, requiring reforms to prevent future politicization. Appointing someone with Daskal’s track record sends exactly the wrong message about commitment to impartial justice. Republican senators’ concerns reflect broader anxieties among conservatives that surveillance tools remain vulnerable to weaponization against political opponents rather than genuine threats.
Biden Official Who Created ‘Disinformation’ Board Appointed as FISA Court Adviser, Sparking Concern From Republican Senators https://t.co/Jjlv0jIHAM
— David Bender (@davycrockettli1) February 17, 2026
Sources:
Biden official who created ‘Disinformation’ Board appointed as FISA court adviser – TigerDroppings