GreekReporter.com
Trump, Rubio Weigh Dismissing US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly considering dismissing U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle following mounting allegations of improper conduct, including potential ethical violations during her diplomatic tenure in Athens. Her lawyers have denied all allegations.
According to the Associated Press, a senior U.S. official said Sunday that Trump and Rubio were deeply angered by the allegations and could decide on Guilfoyle’s future this week, following Monday’s Columbus Day holiday.
The controversy follows a series of Wall Street Journal reports alleging that Ambassador Guilfoyle threatened a Greek government official, accepted inappropriate gifts and services, and sought to use her administration connections for personal financial benefit.
Allegations and Guilfoyle’s Response
One report alleged that Guilfoyle asked a Trump donor to pay a $100,000 credit card bill before her Senate confirmation hearing, offering access to administration officials in exchange.
Other allegations involved promoting a Greek construction and energy company’s interests in diplomatic meetings.
Guilfoyle’s attorneys, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, denied wrongdoing Sunday, maintaining that the disputed payment concerned unpaid speaking engagements and public appearances predating her nomination.
They also rejected allegations involving private aircraft travel, saying she had complied with State Department regulations.
“Ambassador Guilfoyle has served, and will continue to serve, with integrity, honor and distinction,” the attorneys said.
Possible Investigation and Political Fallout
A second U.S. official said the State Department’s inspector general was examining the allegations, although it remained unclear whether a formal investigation had begun.
Rubio initially defended Guilfoyle during his recent Athens visit, describing her as “a strong ambassador.” However, he later declined to address specific allegations, criticizing journalists for treating unverified reports as established facts.
Congressional Democrats Gregory Meeks, Jeanne Shaheen and Robert Garcia have called for an investigation.
Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and California prosecutor who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., has not personally addressed the allegations in detail.
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