Rubio warns State Department staff on ethics as 2028 race begins

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned senior State Department officials against conflicts of interest and uncoordinated policy actions, stating unethical behavior would result in firing regardless of an official's connections. The warning came amid Republican efforts to distance themselves from the Trump administration following Tuesday's midterm losses. The meeting followed the resignation of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle in mid-October after reports she sold access to Trump officials, which she denied. Rubio also required his office to approve all political travel and forced out policy chief Jeremy Lewin over "freelancing" concerns, though Lewin denied being fired. The 2028 presidential race has begun, with Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz offering post-election statements seen as political visions. Democrats, taking Congress in January, plan to investigate Trump aides' dealings with foreign officials.