US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken steps to increase control over the State Department, instructing senior officials to stick to their designated roles and avoid conflicts of interest. This directive was communicated in a meeting last week, following the Republican Party’s losses in the recent elections. Rubio’s action comes in the wake of the resignation of US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who faced allegations of selling access to Trump administration officials for personal gain. Guilfoyle has denied these claims and declared her intention to defend her reputation.
During the meeting, Rubio emphasized that unethical conduct would lead to dismissal, regardless of an official’s connections. He expressed concern that many officials were making decisions independently without proper coordination, stressing that significant decisions must be approved by him or Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Soon after this meeting, Jeremy Lewin, the State Department’s policy chief, was removed from his position due to concerns about his actions outside of his designated area.
However, it was clarified that Lewin’s departure was not linked to unethical conduct; he had been part of a team that worked to streamline government processes. Lewin stated that his resignation had been planned for weeks and connected to his return to the private sector, denying any claims of being fired. Alongside Lewin’s exit, Rubio expressed frustration over political staff traveling excessively and imposed a requirement for his office to approve all such travel.
In the aftermath of the midterm elections, which resulted in a Democratic majority in Congress, the Republican party has begun to focus on the 2028 presidential race. Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz have provided commentary that many see as laying out their political ambitions. While Rubio has downplayed reports of a potential run, he has not ruled it out, and his management of the State Department may become a talking point in future campaigns.
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Amid ongoing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s alleged self-dealing, Democrats plan to investigate ties between Trump aides and foreign officials once they take control of Congress. Following Guilfoyle’s departure, Rubio sent a memo reminding diplomats to avoid conflicts of interest, claiming it was a pre-planned communication that had been delayed. Additionally, US Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, was terminated after communication issues arose with Landau. Recent personnel changes have been characteristic of a tumultuous environment within the Department, reflective of broader instability in the Trump administration.
With information from Reuters
