BBC: State Department Shuts Down Human Rights Reporting Gateway
Above: U.S. Department of State building in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2025. Image copyright: Hu Yousong/Xinhua/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Under Donald Trump's administration, the U.S. finally has a State Department fit to serve America’s interests. Previously, the department was a bloated bureaucracy that had grown exponentially over 25 years, resulting in higher costs and fewer results. Through its streamlining, Secretary Rubio’s restructuring has made the department more agile and capable.
Anti-Trump narrative
Secretary Rubio’s shutdown of the HRG eliminates a vital channel for reporting abuses by foreign security forces, directly violating the Leahy Law. This reckless move deprives the State Department of crucial human rights information and willfully abandons its legal obligation to monitor abuses and stop weapons from flowing to human rights violators.
