Ambassador Guilfoyle on the brink of dismissal following corruption scandal in Athens
Trump and Rubio are considering dismissing the US ambassador to Athens, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is accused of requesting $100,000 from a donor in exchange for access to officials.
Diplomatic scandal in Athens: Guilfoyle's position placed in jeopardy
According to Cotidianul.ro, a corruption scandal is shaking the United States embassy in Athens, putting into question the mandate of ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle. The administration in Washington is analysing reports indicating serious violations of diplomatic conduct, and a decision regarding the diplomat's future is expected in the course of this week.
Sources cited by theguardian.com indicate that President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering dismissing the ambassador. A senior American official, who spoke under the protection of anonymity, stated that the two are "particularly furious" because of the behaviour reported in the press.
Rubio's visit overshadowed by scandal
The situation has generated tensions within the American delegation present in Athens. Rubio recently made an official visit to the Greek capital, where he delivered a speech on Western democracy at the Acropolis. Guilfoyle attended most of the events on the agenda and greeted the Secretary of State upon his arrival — gestures which, according to sources, have accentuated the American delegation's frustration over her continued presence.
Request for $100,000 and promises of access
Details presented by CNN show that Trump is following accusations according to which Guilfoyle would have accepted luxury gifts and would have requested significant sums of money prior to her confirmation to office by the Senate.
Eric Deters, a former donor to the Republican campaign, stated that the ambassador asked him via text message to transfer $100,000 to him for the payment of an American Express card. In exchange, Guilfoyle would have promised direct access to high-ranking officials from the administration. Deters specified that he did not act on the request due to lack of liquidity.
An attorney for the diplomat contested the authenticity of the messages initially published by The Wall Street Journal, and Guilfoyle denied to her superiors that she had sent the respective requests.
Trump avoids defending her firmly
Although the President's allies consider the episode a major source of embarrassment for the administration, and Trump has frequently expressed dissatisfaction with people who profit financially from proximity to his family, the leader at the White House has avoided defending his former daughter-in-law firmly when asked directly:
"I barely heard about this. Shame. I mean, I don't know. I don't know too much about it, but she has always been very nice."
Vice President JD Vance likewise avoided a public verdict, but emphasised that he categorically rejects "money for influence" schemes and that those guilty must face consequences if the facts are confirmed.
Institutional investigation underway
On the institutional level, The Guardian notes that the Inspector General of the State Department is already analysing the accusations. Multiple Democratic leaders from foreign policy committees have requested the opening of an official investigation.
The scandal extends far beyond the incident related to the credit card. Recent reports mention the ambassador's involvement in promoting the interests of a Greek construction and energy company, the unauthorised access of a lobbyist to private diplomatic meetings, as well as conflictual attitudes towards the staff of the American embassy in Athens.
Source: Cotidianul.ro