Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a department-wide ethics reminder to US State Department employees. He urged them to avoid conflicts of interest and comply with federal ethics laws. The memo came just one day after President Donald Trump removed Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece.
Because it followed Trump’s decision to dismiss the ambassador amid growing controversy over her conduct, however, its timing has drawn attention.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, she said she would “vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity.” Rubio’s message, obtained by Bloomberg News, did not mention Guilfoyle or explain why it was sent.
“We each have a personal obligation to comply with our government ethics rules,” Rubio wrote. At the time the news broke, Rubio was on an official visit to Athens. When the first Wall Street Journal report was published, Rubio publicly defended Guilfoyle, describing her as “a strong ambassador. his message focused heavily on ethical conduct within the federal government Although Rubio did not reference Guilfoyle. Rubio also highlighted the Hatch Act, a federal law that limits political activities by executive branch employees while performing official duties. The law is designed to ensure that government decisions remain free from partisan influence. It also advises that federal employees do not use public office for political purposes.
