Secretary of State Marco Rubio Closes R-FIMI Office Amid Accusations of Censorship
Marco Rubio shuts down the R-FIMI office, alleging censorship and waste, igniting debate over free speech and foreign disinformation strategies.
Marco Rubio announces end of rebranded Global Engagement Center
The Post Millennial
Overview
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the closure of the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R-FIMI) office, previously the Global Engagement Center (GEC). Rubio criticized it for squandering taxpayer money—over $50 million annually—on canard censorship. The GEC had already shut down in December 2024 under Biden after Congress declined to renew its mandate but rebranded to R-FIMI. Critics, including GOP lawmakers and figures like Elon Musk, argued that GEC was detrimental to free speech, while Democrats contended it was crucial to countering foreign disinformation. The shutdown continues the contentious debate over government influence in media.
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FAQ
Marco Rubio closed the R-FIMI office because he accused it of censoring American voices and wasting over $50 million annually on what he called canard censorship, which he viewed as antithetical to free speech.
The Global Engagement Center was created in 2016 to combat harmful foreign propaganda and counter disinformation from rivals such as Russia, China, and Iran.
Republican critics, including GOP lawmakers and Elon Musk, argued the office censored conservative voices and free speech, while Democrats viewed it as essential to countering foreign disinformation.
The Global Engagement Center was shut down in December 2024 under the Biden administration after Congress declined to renew its mandate, and it was then rebranded as R-FIMI.
Some State Department officials expressed concerns that shutting down the office creates vulnerabilities in national security by removing a key tool against foreign disinformation campaigns from adversaries like Russia and China.
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