Rubio Shuts Down State Department's Alleged Censorship Office

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the termination of the State Department’s Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office, accusing it of censoring Americans.

In a significant move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared the closure of the State Department’s Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI) office, previously known as the Global Engagement Center (GEC). Rubio made the announcement at NATO headquarters in Belgium, emphasizing a need to “reset the global order of trade.” He criticized the office for its alleged misuse of over $50 million annually to silence American voices, rather than serving them.

The GEC, which Rubio claims was merely rebranded after its funding was cut by Congress, has been a point of contention. Rubio’s statement clarified that despite the name change to R/FIMI, the office’s operations and staff remained unchanged from the previous administration. “Whatever name it goes by, GEC is dead. It will not return,” Rubio asserted, marking a definitive end to the office’s activities.

Responses to Rubio’s decision were swift. Former House lawmaker Dan Bishop, now at the Office of Management and Budget, praised the move, stating, “This is the way.” Similarly, Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisc.) tweeted his approval, saying, “Excellent.”

The closure of R/FIMI underscores Rubio’s commitment to addressing what he perceives as governmental overreach and misuse of taxpayer funds, signaling potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy and information management strategies.