Trump Stacks DHS Advisory Council With Cronies, Ditching Expertise

Revamped “America First” panel includes Trump campaign veterans, Silicon Valley investor, and former ambassadors ahead of first meeting in July

WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have appointed more than 20 new members to the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), in what the administration described as a relaunch aligned with the president’s “America First” agenda.

The newly reconstituted council, which was first established in 2002, “will draw upon a deep well of public and private sector experience from homeland security experts committed to fulfilling President Trump’s agenda,” according to a DHS press release issued Tuesday.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will serve as Chair of the council, with Florida State Senator Joseph Gruters named Vice Chair. Both are longtime Trump allies with significant political sway in their respective states.

The list of appointees features a mix of former law enforcement officials, private-sector executives, ex-diplomats, and prominent conservative media personalities. Among them are former New York …