Trump and Rubio weigh firing US ambassador to Greece Guilfoyle

US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering firing Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece, following a series of reports alleging improper and possibly illegal conduct before and during her posting in Athens.

A senior US official, speaking anonymously on Sunday, said Trump and Rubio are extremely angry over the reported behavior. A decision on what to do will likely come this week, after Monday's federal holiday. The official said Rubio was especially irritated because he visited Athens last week, where Guilfoyle attended most of his events and greeted him with a bear hug while the allegations were circulating.

The allegations

The Wall Street Journal has published several reports since late September. They allege Guilfoyle threatened a host-country official, accepted improper gifts and services, and offered to use her influence in the administration in exchange for payment of a large credit card bill. The first report said she told reception guests the US could undermine the Greek government, promoted a Greek construction and energy company, and let its lobbyist into private diplomatic meetings. A later report, citing text messages, said she asked a Trump donor to pay a $100,000 credit card bill just before her confirmation hearing, promising him access to administration officials. The British tabloid The Daily Mail separately reported that she alienated embassy staff.

Guilfoyle has not addressed the claims directly, though her lawyer says she did nothing wrong. Rubio initially defended her, then declined to comment publicly, and on Thursday criticized journalists for treating anonymous sourcing as fact.

Investigation

A second US official said the State Department's inspector general is examining the allegations, but could not say whether a formal investigation has begun. Democrats Gregory Meeks, Jeanne Shaheen and Robert Garcia have called for an investigation. Guilfoyle is a former Fox News host and California prosecutor who was once engaged to Trump's son Donald Jr.