Trump, Rubio weigh firing US ambassador to Greece over misconduct allegations

Key facts

• President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering firing US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle.
• Allegations include threats to a host country official and offering influence for payment.
• A decision on Guilfoyle's tenure is expected this week.
• Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into Guilfoyle's conduct.

President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are weighing the dismissal of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle amid a series of reports alleging improper and potentially illegal conduct. A decision is anticipated this week following Monday's federal holiday.

A senior US official stated that Trump and Rubio are "extremely pissed off" by the reported actions. Senator Rubio, who visited Athens recently and interacted with Guilfoyle, has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated as the allegations have multiplied.

The Wall Street Journal has detailed numerous questionable actions by Guilfoyle, including allegedly threatening a host country official, accepting improper gifts and services, and offering to leverage her administration influence in exchange for the payment of a substantial credit card bill. Guilfoyle's lawyer has asserted her innocence, and the US embassy in Athens has offered tacit support.

Rubio, who initially defended Guilfoyle, has become more critical, questioning the veracity of media reports and expressing frustration with journalists asking about the allegations. The State Department's inspector general is reportedly looking into the complaints, though it remains unclear if a formal investigation has commenced.

Several Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Gregory Meeks, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and Representative Robert Garcia, have publicly called for an investigation into Guilfoyle's conduct. The reports have also detailed allegations of Guilfoyle promoting specific business interests and boasting about luxury travel.