Secretary of State Marco Rubio closed the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, citing concerns that its efforts to counter foreign disinformation infringed upon freedom of speech. The center, which had drawn conservative criticism for identifying biased or false reporting, was accused of silencing American voices. This action reverses previous congressional and State Department support for the center’s mission. Rubio stated that the center’s actions were antithetical to American principles of free speech. Former State Department officials countered that this characterization of the center’s work was misleading.
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Representative Kuster, retiring after a career marked by significant political events, believed Biden faced a difficult reelection campaign. Her near-miss during the January 6th Capitol attack, witnessed firsthand and captured on security footage, solidified her decision to retire, citing the immense personal risk. Despite a recent Republican shift, she views her Congressional tenure as overall successful.
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The Global Engagement Center (GEC), tasked with countering foreign disinformation, particularly from Russia and China, was shut down due to congressional opposition. Despite a $60 million budget and a staff of 120, the GEC faced criticism from Republicans who alleged it silenced conservative voices. The center’s work included identifying and countering disinformation campaigns using social media analytics, publishing reports detailing Russian and Chinese propaganda efforts, and collaborating with international partners. Ultimately, funding was removed from the final appropriations bill, leading to the GEC’s termination.
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John Q. Hosedrinker