Rubio Orders State Officials to Clear Major Decisions With Leadership

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told senior State Department officials to stay within their authority, coordinate policy work with department leadership and avoid conflicts of interest, warning that unethical conduct could lead to dismissal regardless of an employee’s connections. Major decisions, he said, require approval from him or Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau. The reported meeting followed allegations that Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle sold access to officials in President Donald Trump’s administration; Guilfoyle has denied the claims. Sources also linked the subsequent departure of policy chief Jeremy Lewin to concerns about work beyond his remit, though the details are unclear, and Lewin said he resigned voluntarily. The move comes amid personnel departures and heightened political focus on the 2028 Republican presidential race.