US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the closure of the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI) hub, a State Department office tasked with combating disinformation campaigns worldwide. Rubio justified the decision by accusing the office of censoring conservative speech, framing the move as a step toward “protecting and championing” free speech.
“Over the last decade, Americans have been slandered, fired, charged, and even jailed for simply voicing their opinions,” Rubio posted on X. “That ends today.” He criticized the office for costing taxpayers over $50 million annually and claimed it had “actively silenced” American voices, though he did not provide specific examples.
The R/FIMI hub was a reorganization of the Global Engagement Center (GEC), which had been shut down in December 2024 under former President Joe Biden after Congress declined to renew its mandate. The GEC had faced criticism from some Republicans, who accused it of straying from its mission and favoring liberal viewpoints over conservative ones.
Meanwhile, a US federal judge has found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for allegedly violating a court order to halt deportation flights. The ruling adds to the legal challenges faced by Trump officials over their immigration policies.
The closure of the R/FIMI hub and the judge’s ruling highlight the ongoing political and legal battles over free speech, disinformation, and immigration enforcement in the United States.
April 19, 2025 12:19 am
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