Marco Rubio supports Kimberly Guilfoyle after controversies over statements about overthrowing governments

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a public message of support to U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, praising her contribution to promoting American interests in Greece and southeastern Europe. The message was published Friday evening, in English and Greek, on the pages of the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

Rubio said that the ambassador had supported the Trump administration’s agenda and played an important role in regional energy projects, including the “Vertical Energy Corridor.” He was also backed by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who praised Guilfoyle’s work in energy cooperation and strengthening relations between the United States and Greece.

The messages appeared after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Democratic leaders of the congressional foreign affairs committees had asked the State Department to review the ambassador’s activities. The lawmakers are seeking clarification, including regarding the promotion of businesses in the gas sector and the use of private aircraft.

Guilfoyle was criticized after she allegedly said, at a dinner held in Athens, that the United States can overthrow governments. The statement allegedly referred to Romania and Greece as well, but the embassy and the ambassador’s lawyer disputed the interpretation of the report. The case was also linked to meetings in Bucharest concerning agreements to import American liquefied natural gas. The source of the allegations and the context of the statement are still being investigated.