Democrats seek inquiry into US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle over Greece conduct and lobbyist ties

Congressional demands for inquiry

Senior Democrats on Capitol Hill have formally requested that the State Department investigate Kimberly Guilfoyle, the United States Ambassador to Greece, over allegations of ethical breaches and diplomatic misconduct. Representative Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter on Wednesday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding Guilfoyle's dismissal if the allegations are substantiated.

If these reports are accurate, Ambassador Guilfoyle is unfit to represent the United States abroad and should be removed from her post.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, followed with a separate letter on Thursday. Shaheen called for the State Department to disclose all measures taken to prevent conflicts of interest, questioning Guilfoyle's official conduct after voting for her confirmation in 2025.

Such actions do not serve U.S. credibility abroad and risk undermining American diplomacy.

Disputed remarks over allied governments

The congressional scrutiny follows a September 25 investigation by The Wall Street Journal regarding a dinner held in Athens in March 2026. During the dinner, attended by over 12 people including American and Greek officials alongside embassy staff, Guilfoyle reportedly engaged in a dispute with Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou. According to the report, Guilfoyle referenced the expected collapse of the Romanian government led by Ilie Bolojan and stated that the United States could produce similar outcomes in other countries, including Greece.

Papastavrou rejected the characterization during an address to the Greek Parliament, asserting that bilateral relations remain based on mutual respect and shared energy partnerships.

There was never any question of any pressure or threat to our country to take any action, nor would such a thing ever be tolerated.

Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis also denied that any threats occurred during the dinner, while Guilfoyle's legal counsel contested the reported account.

Commercial promotion and lobbyist ties

Lawmakers are also examining Guilfoyle's interactions with registered lobbyist Christos Marafatsos and Greek infrastructure company Aktor Group. Documents requested by the committees seek details on whether Guilfoyle allowed Marafatsos to participate in meetings with foreign officials while promoting Aktor Group's commercial projects. These projects involve liquefied natural gas transit through the Vertical Corridor, an energy network connecting Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Inquiries also focus on travel arrangements, including whether Guilfoyle's use of private aircraft funded by the chief executive of Aktor Group adhered to State Department ethics regulations. The controversy has extended to Bulgaria, where reports indicated diplomatic pressure regarding Sofia purchasing American liquefied natural gas from specific Greek suppliers. In Bucharest, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu clarified that Guilfoyle's March visit was tied to a private business event rather than state negotiations, while United States Ambassador to Romania Darryl Nirenberg stated that Washington maintains full confidence in Romanian democracy.

Upcoming regional diplomacy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Athens between October 5 and October 8, 2026, as part of a diplomatic tour covering Iceland, Greece, and Portugal. In Reykjavík, Rubio will meet with Icelandic officials regarding economic and security collaboration before traveling to Greece. In Athens, Rubio will lead the American delegation at the sixth United States-Greece Strategic Dialogue, focusing on regional security, defense cooperation, and ongoing energy initiatives.