Rubio Fires Officer Over Hidden Relationship with Daughter of CCP Official
A U.S. State Department official has been dismissed following revelations that he concealed a romantic relationship with a woman linked to the Chinese Communist Party—raising serious concerns about national security and adherence to diplomatic protocols under President Donald J. Trump’s administration.
The officer, identified as Daniel Choi, was terminated after an internal review ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and approved by the White House. The decision followed the release of undercover footage by O’Keefe Media Group, in which Choi admitted to knowingly withholding details about the relationship from security officials.
In the secretly recorded video, Choi acknowledged that his girlfriend’s father was “straight-up Communist Party” and conceded that she “could have been a spy.” He further admitted, “I defied my government for love,” despite clear requirements mandating disclosure of such foreign contacts.
According to the State Department, this marks the first known termination carried out under Executive Order 14211, a directive signed earlier this year by President Trump to reinforce accountability within the diplomatic corps. The order emphasizes that all foreign service personnel must operate under the authority of the president and that failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including removal.
In a formal statement, the department underscored the seriousness of the breach: “The Foreign Service Officer admitted to concealing a romantic relationship with a Chinese national, whom he said on camera ‘could have been a spy.’ He also said that her father was ‘straight-up Communist Party.’ The officer was required to report this contact to Department security officials, but said, ‘I defied my government for love.’ Accordingly, the Secretary recommended that the officer be separated for failing to faithfully implement the President’s foreign policy.”
The case highlights longstanding concerns among U.S. intelligence and counterintelligence officials regarding foreign influence operations—particularly those tied to Beijing. Experts have repeatedly warned that personal relationships are a key method used by foreign actors to gain access to sensitive information.
“Romantic and social connections remain one of the most exploited vectors in Chinese espionage,” said a former senior intelligence official familiar with State Department security procedures. “An unreported relationship like this represents a massive vulnerability, no matter how innocent it may appear.”
Officials confirmed that Choi’s actions violated established security protocols requiring immediate disclosure of “close and continuing contact” with foreign nationals who may have ties to adversarial governments. Such rules are designed to prevent coercion, blackmail, or unintended intelligence leaks.
Choi reportedly told the undercover journalist that his girlfriend’s father held a role within the CCP structure, possibly as a provincial or national-level education official. “She could have been a spy — I don’t even know,” he admitted in the footage.
Following the video’s release, Secretary Rubio moved swiftly, citing both misconduct and the potential for compromise. “This is a clear case of misconduct and potential compromise,” a State Department official said. “Every officer takes an oath to serve the United States and to uphold our security standards. No one is above that.”
Since taking office, Rubio has prioritized countering Chinese influence within U.S. institutions, implementing stricter vetting standards and expanding oversight of foreign contacts—particularly in sensitive diplomatic and policy roles.
The swift termination signals a broader shift toward zero tolerance for security lapses within the federal government, especially those involving adversarial nations. For the Trump administration, the message is clear: safeguarding national security takes precedence over personal discretion.