Neil deGrasse Tyson wants U.S. lawmakers to boldly go where no Congress has gone before: the creation of a federal “Truth Force.”

Prolonged controversies surrounding special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian hacking of the 2016 U.S. election has prompted the “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” host’s latest idea.

Mr. Tyson said a blueprint for a “Truth Force” can be found by studying The National Academy of Sciences.

“I’m okay with a US Space Force,” the astrophysicist and “StarTalk Radio” host said. “But what we need most is a Truth Force — one that defends against all enemies of accurate information, both foreign & domestic.”

Critics immediately highlighted the Orwellian nature of his suggestion.

“Sorta like the Ministry of Truth?” asked one reader.

“That sounds familiar. Where have I heard about that before? Oh, right. The Ministry of Truth,” added another.

I’m okay with a US Space Force. But what we need most is a Truth Force — one that defends against all enemies of accurate information, both foreign & domestic. — Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 20, 2018

Mr. Tyson then provided a short video on the history of The National Academy of Sciences to buttress his point.

“The beginnings of a Truth Force: The National Academy of Sciences, chartered by President Lincoln in 1863, ‘provides objective, science-based advice on critical issues affecting the nation,’” he wrote.

His remarks came one day after President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani got into a debate with NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd.

“Truth isn’t truth,” Mr. Giuliani said regarding possible ‘he said, she said’ arguments between witnesses.

“My statement was not meant as a pontification on moral theology but one referring to the situation where two people make precisely contradictory statements, the classic ‘he said, she said’ puzzle,” he tweeted Monday. “Sometimes further inquiry can reveal the truth other times it doesn’t.”

My statement was not meant as a pontification on moral theology but one referring to the situation where two people make precisely contradictory statements, the classic “he said,she said” puzzle. Sometimes further inquiry can reveal the truth other times it doesn’t. — Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) August 20, 2018

“Since proven leaker Comey is now sanctimoniously lecturing us on truth, I can say sometimes the truth is clear it’s the opposite of what Jim Coney is saying,” he continued. “His disgraceful performance with the FBI makes him the last person who should pontificate on truth.”

Since proven leaker Comey is now sanctimoniously lecturing us on truth, I can say sometimes the truth is clear it’s the opposite of what Jim Coney is saying. His disgraceful performance with the FBI makes him the last person who should pontificate on truth. — Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) August 20, 2018

The lawyer’s tweet was in reference to Mr. Comey’s tweets from earlier in the day, which read: “Truth exists and truth matters. Truth has always been the touchstone of our country’s justice system and political life. People who lie are held accountable. If we are untethered to truth, our justice system cannot function and a society based on the rule of law dissolves.”

Truth exists and truth matters. Truth has always been the touchstone of our country’s justice system and political life. People who lie are held accountable. If we are untethered to truth, our justice system cannot function and a society based on the rule of law dissolves. — James Comey (@Comey) August 19, 2018

Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters

Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.