Rubio Terminates Biden’s So-Called ‘Dead’ Censorship Program

Man in blue suit holding a microphone outdoors.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially shuttered a controversial censorship program that the Biden administration claimed was already defunct, exposing how the previous administration continued its operations under a different name.

Key Takeaways

Secretary Rubio terminated the Global Engagement Center (GEC) and its successor program for censoring American citizens and exceeding its mandate to combat foreign influence
The Biden administration had rebranded the program after Congress refused to reauthorize GEC funding in 2024, continuing censorship efforts under a new name
GEC funded censorship technologies like NewsGuard and Global Disinformation Index that blacklisted conservative media outlets including The Daily Wire and The Federalist
The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) lawsuit exposed how these technologies targeted media outlets opposing government narratives, affecting their circulation and advertising revenue
Rubio’s decision reaffirms the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting First Amendment rights against government censorship

Shuttering the “Dead” Censorship Machine

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the complete dismantling of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) and its successor office, exposing how the Biden administration continued censorship activities despite claiming the program had already ended. The announcement confirms that the previous administration merely rebranded the controversial program after Congress refused to reauthorize its funding in 2024, shifting its operations to the newly named Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office within the State Department.

The GEC, originally established to combat foreign propaganda, had become embroiled in controversy after evidence emerged showing it had targeted American citizens and domestic news organizations. Secretary Rubio’s decisive action represents a significant step in fulfilling President Trump’s promise to end government censorship of Americans’ protected speech. The closure comes in response to revelations about the program’s overreach in targeting conservative media outlets and suppressing content that opposed government narratives.

How the Censorship Machine Operated

According to documents uncovered by the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) lawsuit, the GEC funded various censorship technologies including NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index. These tools were used to blacklist domestic news organizations, particularly those with conservative viewpoints. Media outlets such as The Daily Wire and The Federalist found themselves targeted for expressing opinions that differed from the government’s preferred narratives, resulting in reduced visibility, circulation, and advertising revenue.

“Secretary Rubio’s acknowledgement that our government abridged the free speech rights of American citizens and the American press represents a first step toward dismantling the Censorship Industrial Complex. Unfortunately, our clients continue to suffer from the blacklisting and demonetization advanced by the State Department—as do other members of the American press,” said Margot Cleveland, Of Counsel, NCLA.

The censorship program was also reportedly part of a larger network known as the Election Integrity Partnership, which connected nonprofits, social media platforms, and government agencies in coordinated efforts to suppress content deemed “misinformation.” This partnership allowed the government to circumvent constitutional restrictions by working through third parties to achieve censorship goals that would have been illegal if done directly by federal agencies.

SecState Rubio Shuts Down Censorship Program That Biden Administration Claimed Was Already Deadhttps://t.co/mWdOAPwMO7

— RedState (@RedState) April 17, 2025

Protecting First Amendment Rights

Secretary Rubio has emphasized that the closure of these programs reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting Americans’ constitutional rights. The State Department has acknowledged the harm caused by these censorship efforts and has pledged to prevent similar violations in the future. The NCLA, a nonpartisan civil rights group that brought the lawsuit exposing these practices, has expressed willingness to work with the administration to develop safeguards against future censorship attempts.

“Secretary Rubio’s recognition of the irreparable and ongoing harm GEC and the State Department inflicted on our clients is laudable, as are his promises to put an end to this unconstitutional regime. We look forward to using the knowledge we have gained through litigating this case to help craft safeguards that ensure our clients and all Americans are protected from similar, future harm,” said Jenin Younes, Litigation Counsel, NCLA.

The dismantling of these censorship mechanisms signals a significant shift from the previous administration’s approach to controlling online information. Political commentator Jonathan Turley praised Rubio’s decision, noting that it represents an important step toward restoring constitutional protections for free speech. The Trump administration’s actions demonstrate a commitment to transparency and the belief that American citizens should be free to access diverse viewpoints without government interference.

Moving Forward

While the closure of the GEC and its successor program marks an important victory for free speech advocates, the NCLA has indicated that work remains to be done. Their clients continue to suffer from the effects of blacklisting and demonetization initiated under the previous administration. The organization is seeking not only justice for those affected but also the establishment of robust protections to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future.

“When NCLA first learned that the State Department was wrapped up in the Biden Administration’s censorship regime, we were incredulous. How could the State Department be involved in any domestic activity, let alone censoring Americans in violation of the First Amendment? But Secretary Rubio’s admission confirms what our suit revealed. Now we’ll see if the State Department will rectify the situation going forward for our clients,” Mark Chenoweth, President, NCLA said.

Secretary Rubio’s decisive action in dismantling these censorship mechanisms demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to constitutional principles and transparent governance. By acknowledging past abuses and taking concrete steps to prevent their recurrence, the administration is working to restore Americans’ faith in government institutions and their commitment to protecting fundamental freedoms.