US State Department closes foreign disinformation office amid censorship claims

The Trump administration has closed the State Department’s office dedicated to countering foreign disinformation, previously known as the Global Engagement Center (GEC), citing concerns about censorship and the misuse of taxpayer funds. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that the office, initially tasked with tracking propaganda from adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran, had overstepped by targeting and suppressing domestic speech, particularly from conservative voices. Critics, including former officials, countered that the GEC focused its efforts on foreign influence campaigns and played a vital role in combating disinformation worldwide. The decision was part of a broader push by the Trump administration to shrink the federal government and eliminate programs perceived as infringing on free speech. While some Republicans and Democrats defended the GEC’s work, others accused it of blacklisting right-leaning outlets and stifling dissent. The closure has provoked debate over the balance between national security efforts against foreign propaganda and the protection of Americans’ First Amendment rights.