White House asks US ambassador to Greece to resign following allegations over access to officials

Washington, United States. The White House announced Tuesday that it had requested the resignation of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece, following reports alleging she exchanged access to Trump administration officials for payments, gifts and favours.

White House confirms resignation request

New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed the request during a briefing, saying: “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”

President Donald Trump had indicated Monday that he was weighing Guilfoyle’s dismissal. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, he said: “She was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading.”

Guilfoyle was previously engaged to the president’s son Donald Trump Jr.

US lawmakers expressed concern following a series of Wall Street Journal articles published from last month onwards. The reports examined Guilfoyle’s conduct and included allegations that she had threatened to deploy US influence against the Greek government.

Reports detail alleged conduct

One Wall Street Journal report outlined Guilfoyle’s close ties to a lobbyist representing a Greek energy company and described her efforts to promote the company.

Another article cited recordings in which Guilfoyle allegedly boasted about her connections with wealthy businessmen from Greece while trying to secure an invitation to a dinner in Davos honouring Eric, another son of Trump.

American businessman Eric Deters told the newspaper that Guilfoyle had offered to arrange access to officials in Trump’s administration in return for money. He said she had, on one occasion, asked him to settle her credit card bill of $100,000. Guilfoyle formerly worked as a prosecutor in San Francisco.

Britain’s Daily Mail reported last week that the internal watchdog at the State Department was examining complaints from Athens embassy staff about inappropriate conduct.

Guilfoyle rejects allegations

In a social media post, Guilfoyle again denied wrongdoing and said her appreciation and respect for Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had not changed.

She acknowledged that her service as ambassador might be nearing its end but said she would remain committed to Trump, the America First movement and her country. Calling the allegations false, she said she intended to defend her reputation, name and integrity vigorously.

The Greek government has made no comment on the allegations concerning her time as ambassador. Requests for comment received no response from either the State Department or the US embassy in Athens.