Trump and Rubio consider firing ambassador Guilfoyle after misconduct reports

Trump and Rubio weigh firing Guilfoyle

Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly considering dismissing U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle after a series of reports alleging improper conduct surfaced in the Wall Street Journal.

A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said Trump and Rubio were “extremely pissed off” by Guilfoyle’s reported conduct and would likely decide on action this week after Monday’s federal holiday. The official added that Rubio had been particularly angry, noting that Guilfoyle attended most of his events in Athens and greeted him with a bear hug as the allegations swirled.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Guilfoyle allegedly threatened a host-country official, accepted improper gifts and services, and offered to use her influence inside the administration in return for payment of a large credit card bill. Guilfoyle has not addressed the reports directly; her lawyer has said she did nothing wrong, and the U.S. embassy in Athens has tacitly expressed support for her.

Rubio has declined to comment publicly on the growing allegations. After a second report appeared late Wednesday, Rubio, before leaving Athens, berated journalists for asking about the allegations, saying he did not know if they were true and would not respond if he could not confirm.

A second U.S. official, also speaking anonymously, said the State Department’s inspector general is looking into the allegations, which first began surfacing in the Journal late last month and have since multiplied. The official could not say whether a formal IG investigation had begun. Inspectors general often conduct informal inquiries that do not result in a full investigation, but can lead to disciplinary action up to dismissal.

The State Department has declined to comment on a potential IG investigation. Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees have called for an investigation into Guilfoyle.

Potential outcome

If the investigation finds evidence of wrongdoing, Guilfoyle could face dismissal, which would affect U.S. diplomatic representation in Greece.