WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly considering the removal of U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, following emerging allegations of improper and potentially illegal conduct during her time in Athens. These concerns have been amplified by a series of reports from The Wall Street Journal detailing her questionable actions.
A senior U.S. official shared on Sunday that both Trump and Rubio are "extremely pissed off" regarding Guilfoyle's reported behavior and are expected to reach a decision on her future this week, after the observance of Columbus Day on Monday. This official spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
Rubio's frustration has reportedly been heightened by his recent visit to Athens, where Guilfoyle was present at most of his events. She notably welcomed him with a bear hug while allegations surrounding her behavior were unfolding. The Wall Street Journal has outlined various incidents involving Guilfoyle, including an alleged threat made to a host country official, the acceptance of improper gifts and services, as well as an offer to leverage her influence within the administration in exchange for settling a substantial credit card debt.
Although Guilfoyle has yet to publicly address these claims, her lawyers issued a statement late Sunday denying any wrongdoing. They asserted that the funds she sought from a Trump donor were merely payments for public appearances and speaking engagements that had occurred prior to her ambassadorial nomination. Furthermore, they defended her travel practices, stating that Guilfoyle had consistently sought and adhered to State Department guidance regarding travel regulations.
The lawyers emphasized that "Ambassador Guilfoyle has served, and will continue to serve, with integrity, honor and distinction." They also mentioned that they are exploring all legal avenues to recover the debt in question and investigate any other potential claims. Initially, Rubio defended Guilfoyle after the initial reports surfaced. However, as subsequent reports emerged, his public comments grew more guarded. On Wednesday, he described her as "a strong ambassador" but later expressed frustration over journalists' inquiries regarding the allegations. He criticized media practices, arguing that unverified reports do not constitute the truth, stating, "It's not the gospel for me. That’s not the way we do things."
As dissatisfaction with Guilfoyle's conduct expands, a second U.S. official revealed that the State Department's inspector general is currently looking into the allegations. The initial reports began circulating in late September and have only increased in number since then. While the second official could not confirm whether a formal investigation had commenced, they indicated that inspectors general typically perform informal inquiries before deciding if a full investigation is necessary. Such inquiries can lead to disciplinary actions ranging from reprimands to termination.
The State Department has refrained from commenting on the potential investigation. Calls for an investigation into Guilfoyle have already been issued by key Democratic leaders, including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, as well as Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the ranking member on the House Committee for Oversight and Government Reform.
Since late September, The Wall Street Journal has published a plethora of accounts detailing Guilfoyle's questionable conduct. These reports include allegations that she claimed the U.S. could undermine the Greek government and promoted the interests of a specific Greek construction and energy company by allowing a lobbyist access to private diplomatic discussions. Additionally, it was reported that during Rubio’s stay in Athens, Guilfoyle had reached out to a Trump donor to cover a $100,000 credit card bill just prior to her confirmation hearing, offering access to administration officials in return.
Guilfoyle's frustrations have also been highlighted, including her outrage over not being invited to a Greek-themed event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, while boasting about opulent travel experiences with executives from energy companies. Reports from sources such as The Daily Mail indicated that her behavior had caused alienation among staff at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, raising concerns regarding her suitability for the ambassadorial role.
Throughout this controversy, Guilfoyle's background as a former Fox News Channel host and California prosecutor has come to light, along with her previous relationship with Donald Trump Jr.
