The U.S. State Department has dismissed a Foreign Service officer following the release of an undercover video showing his admission of concealing a romantic relationship with a woman connected to the Chinese Communist Party.
Daniel Choi was terminated after receiving presidential approval from Donald Trump, according to a statement issued by the State Department.
The department confirmed that the decision followed an internal review and invoked executive authority related to national security and foreign policy conduct.
“Today, after Presidential review and approval, the Secretary of State has terminated a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) who concealed a romantic relationship with a Chinese national with ties to the Chinese Communist Party,” the statement read.
The department emphasized that officers responsible for implementing U.S. foreign policy must do so under the president’s direction.
The statement cited an executive order requiring all employees to act faithfully in carrying out presidential policy decisions, warning that failure to do so can result in disciplinary measures, including dismissal.
Under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the president maintains authority over the execution of foreign policy through appointed officials.
The State Department said this authority was exercised in Choi’s case following his acknowledgment of concealing his relationship.
A State Department spokesperson told O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) that this was the first dismissal of its kind in U.S. history.
The department did not provide additional details on when the investigation into Choi began or how long he had been employed with the agency.
In the undercover footage released by OMG, Choi admitted to maintaining a romantic relationship with a woman he identified as the daughter of a senior official within the Chinese Communist Party.
The video appeared to show Choi acknowledging that he was aware of the potential national security risks.
“I defied my government for love,” Choi said in the recording.
He continued, “Her dad was, like, either a provincial or a federal minister of education. So he’s like, straight up Communist party.”
Choi also revealed in the video that he did not file the mandatory disclosure required of federal employees involved in relationships with foreign nationals.
These disclosures are part of long-standing security measures designed to identify and prevent potential conflicts of interest or foreign influence.
“She could have been a spy, even. I don’t know,” Choi admitted to the undercover journalist.
Officials said Choi’s admission of knowingly violating security protocols constituted grounds for immediate termination.
The case has drawn attention to the procedures governing foreign relationships among U.S. government officials with access to sensitive information.
Foreign Service officers are subject to rigorous background checks, periodic security reviews and disclosure requirements under federal law.
These standards are designed to protect national security interests and prevent potential exploitation by foreign intelligence agencies.
The OMG video reportedly captured Choi describing his decision to withhold information about the relationship as deliberate.
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