US DHS fires outside advisers, sources say China probe disrupted

Source: Reuters

The Department of Homeland Security is firing all the members of its various advisory committees, according to a letter seen by Reuters, a move which two people familiar with the matter said would disrupt the agency's efforts to investigate a sweeping hack of U.S. telecom companies blamed on Beijing.

The January 20 message, opens new tab, signed by Acting Secretary Benjamine C. Huffman, says the move is being made "in alignment with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) commitment to eliminating the misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security."

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DHS has several advisory committees, including bodies that provide advice to government officials on issues including emergency preparedness, telecommunications, science and technology, as well as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Among them is the Cyber Safety Review Board, the two people familiar with the matter said.

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The review board was in the middle of investigating the hacks of American telecom companies by an allegedly Chinese group nicknamed Salt Typhoon, an ongoing cyberespionage operation alleged to have swept up the metadata of a large number of Americans and targeted President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior government officials.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-department-homeland-security-firing-all-advisory-committee-members-letter-2025-01-21/