White House Asks Kimberly Guilfoyle to Resign as US Ambassador to Greece, Allegations, Applicable Federal Laws, and What Happens Next

On October 13, 2026, White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia said the administration has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador to Greece. It was not immediately clear whether Guilfoyle had formally resigned or when any departure would take effect.

The request follows weeks of media reports alleging misconduct before and during her tenure. Those allegations are disputed, and no criminal charge or official finding of wrongdoing had been announced as of this writing. A request to resign is a personnel decision. It is not a legal finding that any law was broken.

This is a government-accountability story. It is not a class action or settlement, and there is no claim process for the public.

Quick Facts

Detail	What is known (as of October 13, 2026)
Official	Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. Ambassador to Greece
Latest development	White House said it asked her to resign (October 13, 2026)
Announced by	Press Secretary Katie Zacharia
Earlier signal	Reports on October 11 said President Trump was weighing removal; Trump said on October 12 the administration was “looking at it”
Key accuser	Eric Deters, a former Trump donor and former congressional candidate
Core allegation	A request that Deters pay about $100,000 of her American Express bill before her July 2025 confirmation hearing, tied to access to administration officials
Was the money paid?	Deters says no
Guilfoyle’s response	Her representatives dispute the allegations; reporting says her side disputed the authenticity of the messages and described any money as owed for prior speaking or consulting work
Other allegations	Gifts/hospitality, private jet travel (including one flight reportedly covered by a Greek company’s CEO), promoting a Greek construction/energy company (Aktor), allowing its lobbyist into official meetings, and a reported remark about U.S. influence over the Greek government
Investigations	State Department Inspector General reportedly reviewing aspects of her conduct; lawmakers have demanded investigations; no public findings
Criminal charges	None announced
Formal resignation	Not confirmed in the reporting reviewed

Why Did the White House Ask Guilfoyle to Resign?

The request came after a string of reports, led by The Wall Street Journal, that began in late September 2026. Press reports on October 11 said Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were weighing whether to remove her. The next day Trump said the administration was looking at the matter and was not happy with the reports. On October 13, the White House said it had asked her to resign.

According to the press secretary’s statement as reported, the White House described her as “a wonderful asset to the team” and wished her well. The statement did not announce any finding of misconduct.

The key distinction: the resignation request is a confirmed, public fact. The underlying allegations are reported claims, and several are contested.

The Eric Deters $100,000 Allegation

Deters told reporters that Guilfoyle texted him in July 2025, shortly before her Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, asking him to wire about $100,000 to pay her American Express bill. He alleged the request was linked to access to Trump administration officials, and has called it a “quid pro quo.”

Key points:

• Not paid. Deters says he did not send the money, reportedly because he lacked liquid assets at the time. The allegation is about a request, not a verified transfer.
• Messages disputed. The Wall Street Journal first reported the text messages. A lawyer for Guilfoyle disputed their authenticity, and CNN reported she told administration officials she did not send them.
• Competing explanation. Her representatives have characterized the matter as money owed for earlier speaking or professional work.

No court or investigative body has publicly resolved which account is correct.

Other Allegations About Her Conduct in Greece

Reporting and congressional letters have raised additional concerns. These remain allegations:

• Accepting gifts or hospitality, and private jet travel, including one flight reportedly covered by the chief executive of Aktor, a Greek construction and energy company.
• Promoting that company’s interests and allowing a registered lobbyist for the company to join meetings with foreign officials.
• A reported comment suggesting U.S. influence could be used against the Greek government. Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the Greek government was never threatened and that nothing of the sort would be tolerated.
• Reported friction with embassy staff and Greek officials.

A U.S. Embassy official said she “continues to follow all State Department ethical guidelines” and called suggestions otherwise “categorically false.” A lawyer for Aktor said the ambassador had been consistently promoting U.S. interests.

Congressional reaction. Rep. Gregory Meeks (ranking member, House Foreign Affairs Committee), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (ranking member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee) and Rep. Robert Garcia (ranking member, House Oversight Committee) have called for scrutiny. Shaheen said that if the reports are accurate, Guilfoyle is unfit to represent the United States. These are calls for review, not findings.

Related article: Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Records Case, FOIA Law, CREW Lawsuit, and What Happens Next

Federal Laws That Could Apply If the Allegations Were Proven

The following explains the legal framework. Applying these laws to Guilfoyle would require proof of specific facts, including intent, which has not been established.

1. Removal power and ambassadors’ status

Ambassadors are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate under the Appointments Clause (U.S. Const. art. II, § 2, cl. 2). In practice, they serve at the President’s pleasure and can be asked to leave or removed without a criminal conviction or an ethics finding. The Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.) governs chiefs of mission, and an ambassador acts as the President’s personal representative in the host country with authority over executive-branch personnel there.

2. Bribery and illegal gratuities, 18 U.S.C. § 201

• § 201(b) (bribery): Criminalizes a public official corruptly demanding, seeking or receiving anything of value in return for being influenced in an official act. Maximum penalty: up to 15 years in prison.
• § 201(c) (illegal gratuity): Covers receiving something of value for or because of an official act, without the corrupt “quid pro quo” intent. Maximum penalty: up to 2 years.

Why it matters here: the donor allegation involves an alleged request for money tied to access. Prosecutors would need to prove, among other things, that the person was a public official at the relevant time, that anything of value was sought or received for an official act (not merely access), and the required intent. The alleged request was made before her confirmation, which raises a separate question of whether she was a “public official” under § 201(a)(1) at that time. Under that definition, a person selected to be a public official can be covered, but the application to any particular facts is a legal question that has not been tested here.

3. Conflicts of interest, 18 U.S.C. § 208

Bars executive-branch officials from participating personally and substantially in a matter in which they, or certain related parties (including an organization with which they are negotiating employment or have an arrangement), have a financial interest. Penalties are set by 18 U.S.C. § 216 (generally up to 1 year, or up to 5 years for willful violations, plus civil penalties).

4. Supplementation of salary, 18 U.S.C. § 209

Generally prohibits an executive-branch employee from receiving salary or contributions to salary from a private source for government service. It could be relevant if any payment were tied to her official role.

5. Foreign gifts, 5 U.S.C. § 7342 and the Emoluments Clause

Federal employees may not accept gifts from foreign governments above “minimal value” without approval, and must report certain gifts. For 2024–2026, the minimal-value threshold is $480. Section 7342 mainly addresses gifts from foreign governments. Gifts from private individuals or companies, including foreign nationals, are generally analyzed under the executive-branch gift rules at 5 C.F.R. Part 2635, Subpart B, and travel benefits may implicate acceptance rules for travel payments from non-federal sources. Which rule applies to any particular benefit depends on who provided it and in what capacity.

6. Standards of Ethical Conduct, 5 C.F.R. Part 2635

Executive-branch rules covering gifts from outside sources, conflicting financial interests, impartiality, misuse of position, and use of public office for private gain. Violations are typically handled administratively, including through discipline, but can also be referred for criminal review where warranted.

7. Financial disclosure, Ethics in Government Act (5 U.S.C. ch. 131, formerly 5 U.S.C. App. 4)

Nominees and senior officials must file financial disclosure reports (OGE Form 278). Inaccurate or omitted disclosures can create civil and, if knowing and willful, criminal exposure.

8. False statements, 18 U.S.C. § 1001

Makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully make materially false statements to federal officials, including in an official inquiry. This is a common issue in federal investigations and is relevant to any statements made to investigators or administration officials.

9. Wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343

Could be considered if investigators found a scheme to obtain money by deception using interstate wires. Nothing in the reviewed reporting establishes this.

10. Post-employment restrictions, 18 U.S.C. § 207

Applies to former officials after they leave government (for example, restrictions on representing others before the government on certain matters). It is relevant only after departure.

11. Inspector General authority, Inspector General Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 401–424)

The State Department Office of Inspector General can investigate waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct. It can refer suspected criminal violations to the Department of Justice. Its work can continue after an official leaves office.

Note: No investigative body has publicly found that any of these laws was violated. This section describes the legal framework, not a conclusion.

Does Resigning End the Investigation?

No. Leaving a post does not erase potential legal exposure. An Inspector General review can continue, Congress can still seek documents or testimony, and the Department of Justice can independently decide whether to open a criminal inquiry. Statutes of limitations for most federal criminal offenses are generally five years (18 U.S.C. § 3282), though specific offenses may differ.

What Happens Next?

1. Formal resignation or removal. The White House or State Department may clarify whether she has resigned and when it takes effect.
2. Embassy leadership. When an ambassador departs, the Deputy Chief of Mission typically leads the embassy as chargé d’affaires until a new ambassador is nominated and confirmed by the Senate.
3. Inspector General review. Its findings may result in administrative recommendations or a referral to the Department of Justice.
4. Congressional oversight. Committees may seek records, send letters, or hold hearings.
5. Possible response from Guilfoyle. She has not directly addressed the reports, and her lawyer has said she did nothing wrong.

Timeline

Date	Development
July 2025	Alleged text-message request to Deters; Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing (July 9, 2025)
2025	Takes up post in Athens (reported around September 2025)
Late September 2026	The Wall Street Journal begins detailing allegations about her conduct
October 1, 2026	Rep. Meeks publicly raises concerns with Secretary Rubio
October 6, 2026	Sen. Shaheen demands answers from Rubio
October 11, 2026	AP and CNN report Trump and Rubio weighing removal
October 12, 2026	Trump says the administration is looking at the matter
October 13, 2026	White House says it has asked Guilfoyle to resign

Who Is Kimberly Guilfoyle?

Guilfoyle is an attorney and former prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles, a former Fox News host and co-host of The Five, and a prominent Trump campaign surrogate and fundraiser. She was previously married to Gavin Newsom (2001 to 2006) and was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. for several years before the engagement ended in late 2024. She was nominated as ambassador to Greece and appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 9, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as ambassador to Greece?

The White House said on October 13, 2026, that it asked her to resign. The reporting reviewed did not confirm a formal resignation or an effective date.

What is Kimberly Guilfoyle accused of?

Mainly, a donor alleges she asked him to pay a $100,000 credit-card bill before her confirmation in exchange for access to administration officials. Other reports allege improper gifts or travel, promoting a Greek company’s interests, and problematic conduct as ambassador. She and her representatives dispute the allegations.

Did Eric Deters pay Guilfoyle $100,000?

No. Deters says he did not send the money.

Has Kimberly Guilfoyle been charged with a crime?

No criminal charge had been announced as of October 13, 2026.

Is there an investigation?

Reporting indicates the State Department Inspector General is reviewing aspects of her conduct, and lawmakers have demanded investigations. No public findings have been released.

Can a president remove an ambassador without proof of wrongdoing?

Generally yes. Ambassadors serve at the President’s pleasure. A personnel decision is different from a legal finding or criminal case.

Can Guilfoyle be prosecuted even after leaving the post?

Potentially, if evidence supports charges. Resignation does not end an Inspector General review or a Justice Department decision to investigate, subject to limitation periods.

Who runs the U.S. Embassy in Athens if she leaves?

Typically the Deputy Chief of Mission, as chargé d’affaires, until a new ambassador is confirmed.

Does this create a claims process or settlement for the public?

No. This is an executive-branch personnel and ethics matter.

Sources and Verification Notes

1. White House press briefing, Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, October 13, 2026 (reported by CBS News and the Associated Press).
2. Associated Press, “Trump and Rubio weigh firing U.S. envoy to Greece after mounting reports of improper conduct,” October 11, 2026.
3. CNN, “Trump considering firing Kimberly Guilfoyle after embarrassing revelations, source says,” October 11, 2026.
4. The Wall Street Journal reporting on the Deters messages and related conduct (late September to October 2026).
5. ABC News, “Trump donor accuses Kimberly Guilfoyle of asking him to pay her $100K credit-card bill.”
6. House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats, statement by Rep. Meeks (October 1, 2026): https://democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov/2026/10/meeks-investigates-conduct-of-u-s-ambassador-to-greece-kimberly-guilfoyle
7. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats, statement by Sen. Shaheen (October 6, 2026): https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/ranking-member-shaheen-demands-answers-from-secretary-rubio-on-conduct-of-us-ambassador-to-greece
8. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, nominations hearing, July 9, 2025: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-07-09-2025
9. Statutes: U.S. Const. art. II, § 2; 18 U.S.C. §§ 201, 207, 208, 209, 216, 1001, 1343, 3282; 5 U.S.C. § 7342; 5 C.F.R. Part 2635; Ethics in Government Act (5 U.S.C. ch. 131); Inspector General Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 401–424); Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.).

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Allegations are not findings of fact, and every person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.