Rubio tightens State Department control, warns officials against freelancing and conflicts of interest

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has tightened control over the State Department, warning senior officials to stay within their roles, coordinate policy decisions, and avoid conflicts of interest, with threats of dismissal for unethical conduct. At a meeting last week, Rubio told roughly two dozen assistant secretaries that officials were making decisions or pushing agendas without leadership coordination, and that significant decisions required his or Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau's approval. The meeting followed Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle's resignation in mid-October amid reports she sold access to officials, which she denies. Policy chief Jeremy Lewin was forced out soon after, partly over concerns about working outside his area, though he denies being fired. Rubio also required his office to approve all political staff travel. The moves come as Republicans assess midterm losses and Democrats plan investigations into administration dealings, with Rubio's management potentially facing scrutiny ahead of the 2028 election.