Kimberly Guilfoyle has stepped down from her role as the United States Ambassador to Greece following a request for her resignation from the White House, concluding a diplomatic tenure marked by mounting scrutiny over alleged misconduct and financial dealings. The announcement was made Tuesday by White House press secretary Katie Zacharia during her first White House briefing.
"While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end." Kimberly Guilfoyle, Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Greece
"We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," Zacharia stated. "She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well." This development follows President Donald Trump's comments on Monday, indicating he was considering her removal from the post.
Ambassador Guilfoyle later confirmed her departure in a statement posted online, affirming her continued allegiance to the President. "While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end," she wrote.
The resignation comes amidst increasing scrutiny of Guilfoyle's conduct and financial affairs during her time as ambassador. A report alleged that she had asked Eric Deters, a donor to President Trump, to cover a $100,000 personal credit card bill prior to her Senate confirmation hearing. The same report also claimed that Guilfoyle offered to leverage her connections within the administration to assist Deters with legal and tax matters. Deters reportedly declined the request to pay the bill.
Guilfoyle has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, addressing the allegations directly in her statement. "These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity," she asserted. She further added that she would not permit what she described as false accusations to overshadow her professional career. "I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional," Guilfoyle stated. "I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service."
Her legal representatives have previously argued that some of the financial questions raised pertained to unpaid fees for speaking appearances and public events that occurred before her nomination to the ambassadorial post. They have also refuted any impropriety concerning private plane travel, maintaining that Guilfoyle adhered to State Department guidelines.
In her resignation statement, Guilfoyle expressed gratitude to President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the opportunity to serve. "Serving as the United States Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime," she wrote. "I will forever be grateful to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for entrusting me with the extraordinary privilege of representing the greatest country in the history of the world."
She also took the opportunity to highlight what she described as significant accomplishments during her tenure in Greece. Guilfoyle pointed to efforts aimed at increasing U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to European nations, strengthening defense cooperation between the United States and Greece, and fostering more opportunities for American businesses abroad, according to Trending Politics. She also cited her involvement in the Vertical Corridor, an energy initiative designed to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy supplies. Guilfoyle credited President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and dedicated U.S. diplomats for these collective achievements.
Despite the White House's request for her resignation, Guilfoyle reiterated her steadfast support for President Trump. "My gratitude and respect for President Trump and Secretary Rubio remain unwavering," she stated. "I am proud of what we accomplished together, and I will always be a loyal supporter of President Trump and his mission to Make America Great Again."
This resignation marks a significant transition for Guilfoyle, who has maintained a close association with President Trump and the "America First" political movement. She now departs from her diplomatic role while continuing to contest the allegations that she insists are unfounded. The development underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by high-profile political appointees and the administration's approach to such matters.
