In a major move targeting what he described as a government-led censorship machine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday the formal closure of the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office (R/FIMI)—a rebranded continuation of the Global Engagement Center (GEC), long criticized for alleged misuse of taxpayer funds and suppression of dissenting voices. Rubio’s announcement marks the final nail in the coffin for a federal office that, according to its critics, operated more like a thought-policing apparatus than a foreign policy tool. Originally created under the Obama administration and later expanded during the Trump and Biden years, the GEC was intended to combat foreign propaganda and disinformation. But over time, watchdogs and lawmakers accused the office of turning inward—targeting American citizens, independent media, and domestic narratives that clashed with establishment orthodoxy. “When Republicans in Congress sunset GEC’s funding at the end of last year,” Rubio wrote in The Federalist, “the Biden State Department simply slapped on a new name... hoping to survive the transition to the new administration. Today, we are putting that to an end.” Rubio revealed that the unit had cost over $50 million annually, and alleged that it “spent millions to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving.” The assertion echoes long-standing concerns that federal agencies have drifted from their mandates—blurring the line between foreign threat mitigation and domestic ideological enforcement. Critics have argued that the GEC/R-FIMI funneled resources into partnerships with tech companies, think tanks, and third-party “fact-checkers” to control the flow of information online—particularly surrounding COVID-19, election security, and foreign policy controversies. These efforts often drew fire for blacklisting voices deemed problematic, even when they were U.S. citizens or credentialed experts. Rubio’s decisive move was met with quick praise across conservative circles. Dan Bishop, former congressman and now deputy director at the Office of Management and Budget, posted “This is the way” on X—a clear endorsement of what’s being cast as a victory against government overreach. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) also chimed in, calling the closure “Excellent.” The move underscores the administration’s willingness to dismantle politically weaponized infrastructure left over from prior leadership, especially units accused of operating under vague, unchecked mandates in the name of “fighting misinformation.” Though the GEC was reportedly closed in December, its digital trail remained visible on archived State Department web pages. According to Rubio, the rebrand to R/FIMI was a deliberate attempt to circumvent congressional oversight and continue controversial programs under a new name with the same staff. But now, Rubio has pulled the plug for good: “Whatever name it goes by, GEC is dead. It will not return.”