The State Department has terminated Daniel Choi after an internal review found he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a Chinese national whose family has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Officials said the dismissal followed a review ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and approved by President Donald Trump.
The case centers on statements Choi made in undercover footage released by O’Keefe Media Group, where he acknowledged that his girlfriend’s father was “straight-up Communist Party” and admitted he did not report the relationship to U.S. security officials.
In the footage, Choi said, “I defied my government for love,” and also stated the woman “could have been a spy,” while acknowledging he was aware of reporting requirements tied to foreign contacts.
A State Department spokesperson said the officer was required to disclose any “close and continuing contact” with foreign nationals, particularly those with potential ties to foreign governments.
Failure to do so violated established security protocols designed to prevent coercion, blackmail, or intelligence compromise.
The department said the termination was carried out under authority granted by Executive Order 14211, which allows discipline or removal of personnel who fail to follow national security and foreign policy directives.
In a statement, officials said Choi admitted on camera to concealing the relationship despite understanding the requirement to report it, and that this failure justified separation from service.
The case highlights longstanding counterintelligence concerns about foreign influence operations.
Security officials have repeatedly warned that personal relationships can be used to gather sensitive information or create leverage over government employees.
A former intelligence official cited in the report said romantic relationships are one of the most commonly exploited methods in espionage efforts, especially when disclosure rules are ignored.
The State Department declined to provide full details of the internal investigation but confirmed that Choi’s actions were considered a significant security risk.
Foreign service officers are trained to report such contacts immediately, particularly when individuals may be connected to governments viewed as strategic competitors, per the Conservative Brief.
Choi reportedly described his girlfriend’s father as holding a position within the CCP structure, possibly in an education-related role, though specific details were not independently confirmed in the report.
Secretary Rubio has emphasized stricter enforcement of disclosure rules and has supported expanded vetting procedures for government personnel, especially those with access to sensitive information.
The decision to remove Choi reflects a broader push to enforce compliance with security standards across diplomatic roles, particularly as concerns about foreign intelligence activity continue to rise.
