Trump’s Ambassador to Greece Resigns Amid Allegations of Improper Conduct

WASHINGTON, Oct 13: US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned following allegations of improper conduct before and during her diplomatic tenure, while maintaining that she will vigorously defend herself against the accusations.

The Trump administration announced her departure on Tuesday after days of speculation over her future, with reports suggesting that President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were dissatisfied with the allegations surrounding her conduct.

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed the development during her first media briefing, describing Guilfoyle as a valuable member of the administration and wishing her well.

The announcement followed Trump’s remarks on Monday, when he expressed dissatisfaction after being asked whether he was considering removing Guilfoyle from her position.

“Well, we’re looking at it,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We’re not happy.”

The Associated Press had earlier reported, citing a senior US official, that Trump and Rubio were angered by the allegations and were expected to decide Guilfoyle’s future during the week.

Allegations of Improper Conduct

A series of reports published by The Wall Street Journal since late September has raised questions about Guilfoyle’s conduct, including alleged inappropriate gifts and services, a purported threat directed at a Greek official and claims that she offered access to senior administration figures in exchange for financial assistance.

One report, citing text messages, alleged that Guilfoyle asked a Trump donor to pay a $100,000 credit card bill shortly before her confirmation hearing, reportedly offering access to administration officials in return.

Her legal representatives, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, rejected the accusations in a statement released on Sunday. They said the money she sought was intended as payment for public appearances and speaking engagements arranged before her nomination as ambassador.

The lawyers also denied allegations concerning her use of private aircraft, asserting that Guilfoyle had obtained and followed State Department guidance and complied with applicable travel regulations before each trip.

Guilfoyle has not directly addressed the individual reports publicly.

State Department Oversight Questions

The allegations have also drawn attention from officials responsible for overseeing the conduct of US diplomatic personnel.

A second US official, speaking anonymously because the matter concerns personnel issues, said the State Department’s inspector general was looking into the claims. However, the official could not confirm whether a formal investigation had begun.

Inspector general offices can conduct preliminary inquiries into complaints before deciding whether to launch a full investigation. Such investigations may lead to disciplinary measures, including dismissal, depending on the findings.

The State Department has declined to comment on the possibility of an inspector general investigation.

Rubio, who initially defended Guilfoyle’s performance, has avoided publicly commenting on the growing allegations. During his visit to Athens last week, he described her as a strong ambassador but criticised journalists for treating reported claims as established facts.

“You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel. It’s not the gospel,” Rubio said before departing Athens.

Guilfoyle was present as the secretary of state left the Greek capital.

Greek Opposition Demands Accountability

The controversy has also prompted political reactions in Greece, where opposition parties called on the Foreign Ministry to summon Guilfoyle and seek an explanation regarding the allegations.

Sia Anagnostopoulou, a former deputy foreign minister, told parliament on Friday that the matter was fundamentally one of national dignity.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis responded that Guilfoyle had been treated in the same manner as other ambassadors and argued that a formal summons was unnecessary.

There was no immediate response from the Greek government or Cabinet members following the US administration’s announcement of her departure.

Hours before the development became public, Guilfoyle had shared photographs of a meeting with Spain’s ambassador to Athens and posted birthday wishes for Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, on social media.

US Democrats Seek Investigation

Senior Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into the allegations against Guilfoyle.

Those seeking scrutiny include Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Representative Robert Garcia of California, the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

The Wall Street Journal’s initial report alleged that Guilfoyle told guests at a reception that Washington could undermine the Greek government if it chose to do so. The publication also reported concerns about her alleged promotion of a Greek construction and energy company’s business interests and claims that a lobbyist associated with the company attended private diplomatic meetings.

Subsequent reports described an alleged dispute over her exclusion from a Greek-themed event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year. The reports also referred to her purported complaints and accounts of luxury travel to France involving energy company executives.

Separately, Britain’s Daily Mail reported that Guilfoyle had strained relations with staff at the US Embassy in Athens and allegedly crossed professional boundaries expected of Washington’s senior diplomatic representative in Greece.

The allegations remain contested, with Guilfoyle’s lawyers denying wrongdoing. The extent of any official inquiry and whether it will result in further action remain unclear.

Her resignation brings an end to her tenure amid mounting scrutiny from US political figures and questions about the standards expected of senior diplomatic representatives.