Officials also noted that the dismissal may be the first carried out under Executive Order 14211, signed earlier this year by President Donald Trump. The order strengthens presidential authority over foreign policy personnel and states that employees responsible for implementing U.S. foreign policy must do so under the direction of the president. It further explains that failure to follow those responsibilities can result in disciplinary measures, including removal from service.
In its public statement, the department said the officer admitted on camera to concealing the relationship and acknowledged that the woman involved may have posed a potential intelligence risk. The statement added that the failure to report the contact represented a serious breach of department policy and security obligations.
