Former California Representative Devin Nunes is set to take on a crucial role in the incoming Trump administration's intelligence oversight apparatus.
According to The Daily Caller, President-elect Donald Trump has selected Nunes, the current CEO of Truth Social's parent company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), to lead the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB).
The appointment allows Nunes to maintain his position at TMTG while heading the 16-member advisory board that provides independent assessments of U.S. intelligence activities.
Trump highlighted Nunes' experience as former House Intelligence Committee chairman and his role in investigating alleged FBI misconduct during the Russia probe as key qualifications for the position.
Trump emphasized Nunes' anticipated role in providing independent oversight of the intelligence community's activities and effectiveness.
The PIAB holds significant influence with access to all information necessary to fulfill its advisory functions to the White House. This independent group consists of distinguished citizens from outside the federal government who evaluate intelligence operations and future planning.
On Truth Social, Trump stated his expectations for Nunes, saying:
While continuing his leadership of Trump Media & Technology Group, [he will] provide me with independent assessments of the effectiveness and propriety of the U.S. Intelligence Community's activities.
The appointment builds on Nunes' previous experience investigating claims of FBI misconduct during the Russia interference probe. His work aligned with subsequent findings from Special Counsel John Durham's investigation, which criticized the FBI's handling of the Trump campaign investigation compared to its approach to Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Nunes joined TMTG as CEO in December 2021, leading the company that has since achieved a market capitalization of nearly $8 billion. The organization represents a significant portion of Trump's wealth, with the former president's approximately 115 million shares valued at $4.2 billion.
The appointment adds Nunes to a growing list of TMTG-connected individuals joining Trump's prospective administration. Fellow board members Linda McMahon and Kash Patel have also received nominations for cabinet positions. This pattern suggests Trump's intention to bring trusted allies from his business ventures into key government roles.
The Department of Justice's special counsel investigation supported some of Nunes' earlier criticisms regarding the FBI's conduct. Durham's probe concluded that the agency showed more caution about influencing Clinton's campaign compared to its approach toward Trump's campaign during the 2016 election cycle.
Trump's selection of Nunes to lead the PIAB represents a significant move in shaping his administration's intelligence oversight approach. As CEO of Truth Social's parent company and former House Intelligence Committee chairman, Nunes brings a unique combination of corporate leadership and intelligence oversight experience to the role.
The appointment maintains Nunes' position at the helm of TMTG while adding crucial intelligence advisory responsibilities. This dual role reflects Trump's strategy of incorporating trusted allies from both his business ventures and previous administration into key positions for his anticipated return to the White House.
