The discussion followed allegations involving Kimberly Guilfoyle, who resigned as U.S. Ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to leave. The allegations included claims that she sought $100,000 from Republican donor Eric Deters before her Senate confirmation hearing and offered access to senior Trump administration officials in return. Deters said he never sent the money. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing and said she would defend herself.
A House Oversight Democrat requested records involving Guilfoyle’s finances, communications with Deters and contacts with senior administration officials.
The allegations were part of a broader series of accusations about Guilfoyle’s conduct before and during her tenure in Athens, including claims involving improper gifts, business interests and private diplomatic meetings. The State Department’s inspector general was reported to be examining the allegations, while Democrats on congressional foreign-affairs and oversight committees called for investigations.
Vance said that if someone was selling access, the conduct was “disgusting and despicable” and warranted consequences. He declined to make a definitive judgment about Guilfoyle’s case without what he described as the full facts. Asked whether the administration would comply with subpoenas if Democrats won control of Congress, Vance said it would follow the law and comply.
President Donald Trump said Guilfoyle’s departure followed reports the administration did not like, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to discuss the allegations during a visit to Greece. The resignation ended Guilfoyle’s tenure, but the inspector general review and congressional demands for records left the underlying allegations unresolved.