Secretary Rubio Closes Censorship Agency to Protect Free Speech

State Department Moves to End Censorship Agency

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the permanent closure of the State Department's Global Engagement Center (GEC), aligning with President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign promise to eliminate government censorship. The decision follows Trump's executive order, 'Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship,' which prohibits federal resources from restricting constitutionally protected speech. The GEC, initially created to counter foreign propaganda, had expanded to influence domestic social media platforms to suppress conservative narratives.

The GEC's activities included targeting conservative media outlets and flagging social media accounts for sharing specific articles. In 2020, it labeled speculation about a Chinese lab-leaked coronavirus as Russian disinformation, stoking public discourse. Rubio's initiative aims to prevent such government overreach, ensuring citizens can access information without interference.

Background of GEC Controversies

Established to combat foreign disinformation, the GEC faced criticism for overstepping its mandate by monitoring and influencing domestic speech. It compiled lists of social media accounts, accusing them of being foreign propaganda vectors, and shared these with tech companies, prompting content moderation. The agency also funded tools like NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index, which critics say targeted conservative voices.

In December, Congress cut GEC funding, redirecting its 51 employees and resources to a new hub, 'Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference.' Rubio vowed to monitor this hub to prevent further misuse, emphasizing transparency in federal actions.

Broader Administrative Actions

Trump's executive order mandates a review of federal censorship activities over the past four years, with the Attorney General tasked to produce a report recommending corrective measures.

The closure of the GEC is part of a larger effort to dismantle what Rubio calls the censorship-industrial complex, involving NGOs, tech firms, and government agencies. The administration seeks to restore public trust by prioritizing open debate and citizen freedom from illegal censorship.

Rejecting Government Censorship

Rubio highlighted concerns about authoritarian censorship trends in other countries, positioning the U.S. as a defender of free speech. The State Department plans to strengthen its commitment to constitutional principles, rejecting past GEC approaches that justified censorship as a global norm. The administration aims to model transparent governance, ensuring no federal agency coerces private companies to suppress speech.

Rubio's leadership focuses on protecting First Amendment rights, with ongoing efforts to investigate and reform federal practices that undermine free expression.

Secretary of State Rubio's Statement

"Freedom of speech and expression have been a cornerstone of what it means to be an American citizen. For centuries, the United States served as a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world. Over the last decade though, individuals in America have been slandered, fired, charged, and even jailed for simply voicing their opinions. That is not an America our Founding Fathers would recognize. It is the responsibility of every government official to continuously work to preserve and protect the freedom for Americans to exercise their free speech. That is why today I am announcing the closure of the State Department's Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office (R/FIMI), formerly known as the Global Engagement Center (GEC). Under the previous administration, this office, which cost taxpayers more than $50 million per year, spent millions of dollars to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving. This is antithetical to the very principles we should be upholding and inconceivable it was taking place in America. That ends today. Under the administration of President Trump, we will always work to protect the rights of the American people, and this is an important step in continuing to fulfill that commitment."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio