WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Department of Homeland Security is firing all the members of its various advisory committees, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
The January 20 message, 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.”
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.
DHS did not immediately return an email seeking further details on the move.
It was not immediately clear how many committees would be preserved by the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. In the letter, Huffman said that committee members were “welcome to reapply.”
(Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)