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Sequoia Partner Shaun Maguire Named Pentagon Board Amid Islamism Controversy

5/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Shaun Maguire, a Sequoia Capital partner, was appointed to the Pentagon’s Science, Technology and Innovation Board.
He previously labeled Mayor Zohran Mamdani an “Islamist,” faced condemnation from 800 tech founders, and later apologized in a video while still calling Mamdani and his father “left-wing Islamists.”
The Pentagon declined comment on his appointment, noting the board’s role to accelerate delivery of new weapons and equipment to soldiers.

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Story summary

Shaun Maguire, a Sequoia Capital partner, was appointed to the Pentagon’s Science, Technology and Innovation Board.
He previously labeled Mayor Zohran Mamdani an “Islamist,” faced condemnation from 800 tech founders, and later apologized in a video while still calling Mamdani and his father “left-wing Islamists.”
The Pentagon declined comment on his appointment, noting the board’s role to accelerate delivery of new weapons and equipment to soldiers.