Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed a U.S. Foreign Service officer in October 2025, following the diplomat's acknowledgment of concealing a romantic relationship with a Chinese national whose father held ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The dismissal, which garnered renewed attention in reports circulating September 19, 2026, underscored the State Department's rigorous approach to national security protocols and foreign influence.
"I defied my government for love." Daniel Choi, U.S. Foreign Service Officer
The officer, identified as Daniel Choi, admitted in undercover footage released by O’Keefe Media Group that he had failed to disclose information about the relationship, a requirement under State Department security rules. In the recording, Choi stated, "I defied my government for love," acknowledging his deliberate choice not to report the connection. He also described the woman's father as an education official in China and "straight-up Communist Party." When questioned about the possibility of his partner being involved in espionage, Choi indicated she "could have been a spy," though he clarified he had no definitive knowledge that she was. The video itself did not establish the woman as a Chinese intelligence operative, nor has the State Department publicly presented evidence of her engaging in espionage or Choi transmitting classified information.
The State Department confirmed that the dismissal, which occurred nearly a year prior to the recent reports, followed a recommendation from Secretary Rubio after his review of the matter. The White House subsequently approved the action. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized at the time the department’s "zero-tolerance policy" toward employees whose conduct could undermine national security.
The termination of Choi's employment was carried out under authority reinforced by President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14211, signed on February 12, 2025. Titled "One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations," the executive order stipulates that federal employees tasked with implementing U.S. foreign policy operate under presidential authority. It further states that any failure to faithfully execute this policy may lead to professional discipline, including separation from government service. The order also grants the Secretary of State authority, consistent with applicable law, to reform personnel procedures related to recruiting, evaluation, and retention. According to the State Department, Choi’s dismissal marked the first known instance where the department utilized this specific executive order as the basis for terminating a Foreign Service officer.
Foreign Service personnel, particularly those holding security clearances, are subject to stringent reporting requirements concerning close or continuing contacts with foreign nationals. These regulations are designed to enable security officials to assess potential risks, including foreign influence, coercion, or intelligence recruitment. Choi, in the undercover footage, acknowledged his awareness of these obligations, stating, "I was supposed to, whatever, sort of report what I knew about her," while simultaneously characterizing the requirement as unfair.
The State Department classified Choi’s dismissal as both a personnel and national-security matter, highlighting the dual importance of adherence to internal regulations and the protection of sensitive information. While the publicly available information does not confirm espionage by Choi's former partner or the transmission of classified data by Choi, the act of concealing a relationship with an individual linked to a foreign government, especially one with known adversarial tendencies, is deemed a serious breach of protocol. This incident underscores the continuous challenges faced by U.S. foreign policy and national security agencies in safeguarding sensitive information and preventing potential vulnerabilities among their diplomatic staff. The emphasis on transparency and adherence to reporting requirements remains a cornerstone of maintaining trust and security within the U.S. government's international operations.
