US closes center exposing Russian, Iranian and Chinese propaganda

The head of the department noted that over the past decade, “individuals in America have been slandered, fired, charged, and even jailed for simply voicing their opinions. ,” and added that “today it ends.”

"I am announcing the closure of the State Department’s Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI), formerly known as the Global Engagement Center (GEC). Under the previous administration, this office, which cost taxpayers more than $50 million per year, spent millions of dollars to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving," Rubio wrote.

Mike Benz, Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, said that on April 16, the State Department furloughed all 30 full-time employees of the remaining R/FIMI, eliminated all 50 full-time positions, and sent a notice to Congress to terminate R/FIMI and its $65 million in funding.

The Global Engagement Center (GEC) was formed in 2016. It was tasked with countering foreign propaganda and disinformation, particularly from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.

Reduction of foreign aid

The administration of US President Donald Trump is massively reducing agencies and programs dealing with foreign policy issues.

In particular, the State Department recently canceled 139 grants totaling $214 million. Most of them were engaged in media propaganda in the former Soviet Union and countries with authoritarian regimes.

Earlier, Trump suspended all financial assistance abroad for 90 days. This led to the termination of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency is being reorganized, and some of its powers will be transferred to the State Department.

In addition, the United States may close a large number of embassies in many countries.