US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken steps to tighten control over the State Department, warning senior officials to stay in their lanes and avoid actions that present conflicts of interest. According to four people familiar with the matter, Rubio delivered this message in a meeting last week, emphasizing that unethical behavior would result in a firing, regardless of how well-connected an official might be.
The meeting came as the Republican Party attempts to put distance between itself and the increasingly unpopular Trump administration. Rubio's message followed the high-profile resignation of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle in mid-October, who faced concerns over allegations that she sold access to Trump administration officials in exchange for money, gifts, and favors. Guilfoyle has denied these reports.
Rubio told the meeting, which included many of the roughly two dozen assistant secretaries of state, that significant decisions required his signoff or that of Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. He also expressed frustration with officials making decisions or pushing policy agendas without coordinating. Details of the meeting have not previously been reported.
The State Department has since seen changes in personnel, including the departure of policy chief Jeremy Lewin, who was forced out of his job due to concerns over his work on matters outside his area without proper coordination. Lewin denied being fired, stating that his departure was planned and he had resigned to return to the private sector.
Rubio's frustrations also include excessive overseas travel by political staff, leading to a requirement that Rubio's office approve all political travel. This move is part of a broader effort to tighten control and ensure that officials are working within their designated areas.
The 2028 presidential race has begun shifting into gear, with Republican figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz offering post-mortem analyses on social media. Rubio himself has sought to play down reports that he is considering a run but has not publicly ruled it out. If he does run, his management of the State Department could become a topic of conversation on the campaign trail.
The Trump administration has faced consistent accusations of self-dealing, and Democrats have said they will investigate dealings between Trump aides and foreign officials when they take control of Congress in January. Rubio's department has also lost officials recently, including US Special Representative for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli, who was fired after reports of working outside his designated area.
Key points
- Rubio warns senior officials to avoid conflicts of interest and unethical behavior.
- The State Department has seen changes in personnel, including the departure of policy chief Jeremy Lewin.
- The 2028 presidential race has begun shifting into gear, with Rubio potentially considering a run.
