U.S. State Department Fires Foreign Service Officer Over Undisclosed Romance with Daughter of Chinese Communist Party Official
A veteran U.S. Foreign Service Officer has been dismissed from the State Department after secretly recorded footage revealed he had concealed a romantic relationship with the daughter of a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party (CCP) affiliate, in direct violation of federal disclosure requirements.
The officer, Daniel Choi, was terminated following an internal investigation ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and approved by President Donald Trump. The decision marks the first known use of new authority under Executive Order 14211, signed earlier this year, which strengthens presidential oversight of the diplomatic corps and allows for the removal of officers who fail to faithfully implement U.S. foreign policy.
In undercover footage released by O’Keefe Media Group (OMG), Choi openly discussed his relationship, acknowledging that his girlfriend’s father held a senior position—described as either a provincial or national education minister—within the CCP structure. “Her father is straight-up Communist Party,” Choi said on camera. He further admitted that he had deliberately withheld the information from State Department security officials, stating, “I defied my government for love.” Choi also expressed uncertainty about his girlfriend’s potential ties to Chinese intelligence, remarking, “She could have been a spy — I don’t even know.”
The State Department confirmed the termination in a statement, emphasizing that Choi’s actions represented a serious breach of long-standing security protocols. Foreign Service officers are required to immediately report any “close and continuing contact” with foreign nationals, particularly those connected to adversarial governments like China. Failure to do so can create vulnerabilities to coercion, blackmail, or espionage.
“Romantic and social connections remain one of the most exploited vectors in Chinese espionage,” said a former senior U.S. intelligence official familiar with State Department procedures. “An unreported relationship of this nature constitutes a significant security risk, regardless of the individuals’ intentions.”
Choi, who reportedly had nearly two decades of service and was involved in vetting Chinese student visa applications, was placed under review shortly after the video’s release. Rubio moved swiftly to recommend his separation, citing national security concerns and the need for stricter accountability within the department.
This case highlights growing U.S. government worries about Beijing’s intelligence-gathering tactics. Counterintelligence experts have repeatedly warned that China employs honey traps, financial incentives, and personal relationships to target American diplomats, military personnel, and officials with access to sensitive information. The risks are especially acute for those working on China-related policy or visa issues.
In response to such threats, Rubio has implemented tighter vetting procedures for personnel with East Asia portfolios and expanded background checks. The department’s statement underscored that every officer swears an oath to uphold U.S. security standards, adding, “No one is above that.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed the matter as internal U.S. affairs while accusing Washington of ideological bias. However, U.S. officials maintain that rigorous enforcement of disclosure rules is essential to protecting American interests and personnel from foreign compromise.
The firing of Daniel Choi serves as a stark reminder of the personal and professional challenges facing diplomats in an era of intensified great-power competition. It also signals a harder line from the current administration on countering Chinese influence operations inside U.S. institutions.
