The U.S. State Department has dismissed Daniel Choi, a foreign service officer, following the discovery of his undisclosed romantic engagement with the daughter of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official. The termination, confirmed on Wednesday, was due to Choi’s violation of security protocols requiring the reporting of relationships with foreign nationals.
The decision to fire Choi was sanctioned by President Donald Trump and executed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The incident came to light through undercover footage released by O’Keefe Media Group (OMG), where Choi is seen admitting his relationship with the unnamed woman and suggesting she "could have been a spy."
This case is the first enforcement of Executive Order 14211, signed by President Trump earlier this year, which demands strict adherence to presidential directives by U.S. foreign policy personnel. Failure to comply is met with stringent disciplinary action, including potential dismissal.
The State Department's statement highlighted Choi's acknowledgment of the relationship's potential risk to national security and his admission of defiance against government policy for personal reasons. Choi's concealment of the relationship contravened long-established security measures designed to shield U.S. interests from foreign exploitation.
The implications of Choi's actions are significant, considering the historical context of Chinese intelligence efforts. Beijing is known to leverage personal relationships, among other methods, to extract sensitive information from American targets. A former senior intelligence official noted that such unreported connections pose substantial security risks.
Choi's involvement with the CCP official's daughter, who might occupy an influential educational role within China, was particularly alarming given the potential access to privileged information. The State Department has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the internal investigation but confirmed the breach of protocol.
Secretary Rubio has been proactive in countering Chinese influence, advocating for enhanced vetting of foreign engagements and more thorough background checks for diplomatic personnel, especially those assigned to East Asia or holding sensitive positions in Washington.
The swift action against Choi underscores the administration's dedication to maintaining a secure and accountable diplomatic service, reflecting the gravity with which it views the integrity of U.S. national security.
