State Department under Biden administration compiled dossier on Trump official for disinformation: Rubio

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the State Department, under the Biden administration, compiled a dossier on the social media activity of an individual who is in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, without disclosing that person's identity.

Rubio made the remarks during a round-table meeting of Cabinet officials.

“We had an office in the State (Department) whose job was to censor Americans,” said Rubio. “There’s at least one person at this table today who had a dossier in that building of social media posts to identify them as a purveyor of disinformation.”

Vice President JD Vance responded jokingly, “Was it me or Elon (Musk)?” Rubio did not elaborate.

“We’re going to turn over these dossiers to the individuals, and they’ll decide whether they want to disclose it or not,” said Rubio. “Just think about it -- the Department of State of the United States had set up an office to monitor the social media posts and commentary of American citizens.”

"The Department of State of the U.S. had set up an office to monitor social media posts and commentary of American citizens to identify them as vectors of disinformation. When we know the best way to combat disinformation is through freedom of speech and transparency," he said.

Rubio appeared to be referring to the Global Engagement Center (GEC), a now-shuttered State Department entity originally established to counter foreign disinformation campaigns, including from China, Russia and Iran.