A U.S. State Department foreign service officer has been fired after being caught on hidden camera admitting to a secret romantic relationship with the daughter of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) affiliate—a connection he failed to disclose to U.S. security officials, according to statements.

The officer, identified as Daniel Choi, was terminated following an internal review ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and approved by President Donald Trump, the department confirmed.

The decision came after footage surfaced from an O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) undercover investigation in which Choi acknowledged that his girlfriend’s father was “straight-up Communist Party” and that she “could have been a spy.”

“I defied my government for love,” Choi said in the secretly recorded video published by OMG, in which he discussed knowingly concealing the relationship from State Department officials despite being required to report any close personal contact with foreign nationals.

A State Department spokesperson told reporters that, to their knowledge, this is the first time an officer has been terminated under the authority granted by Executive Order 14211, which President Trump signed earlier this year to strengthen accountability within the diplomatic corps.

The order states that “all officers or employees charged with implementing the foreign policy of the United States must, under Article II, do so under the direction and authority of the President,” adding that “failure to faithfully implement the President’s policy is grounds for professional discipline, including separation.”

In a statement announcing the dismissal, the department said: “The Foreign Service Officer admitted to concealing a romantic relationship with a Chinese national, whom he said on camera ‘could have been a spy.’ He also said that her father was ‘straight-up Communist Party.’ The officer was required to report this contact to Department security officials, but said, ‘I defied my government for love.’ Accordingly, the Secretary recommended that the officer be separated for failing to faithfully implement the President’s foreign policy.”

Choi’s case underscores growing concerns within the U.S. government over Chinese intelligence-gathering through personal and professional relationships with American officials.

For years, counterintelligence experts have warned that Beijing uses romantic entanglements, financial incentives, and academic ties to collect sensitive information from U.S. personnel.

“Romantic and social connections remain one of the most exploited vectors in Chinese espionage,” said a former senior intelligence official familiar with State Department security procedures. “An unreported relationship like this represents a massive vulnerability, no matter how innocent it may appear.”

While the State Department declined to detail the internal investigation, officials confirmed that Choi’s failure to report the relationship violated long-standing security protocols designed to protect against coercion or compromise by foreign entities.

Foreign service officers are required to immediately disclose any “close and continuing contact” with foreign nationals who may have ties to hostile governments.

Choi reportedly told the undercover journalist that his girlfriend’s father was either a provincial or federal education minister within the CCP structure, adding, “She could have been a spy — I don’t even know.”

After the video’s release, Secretary Rubio moved quickly to recommend termination, citing national security concerns and the need to enforce accountability across diplomatic ranks.

“This is a clear case of misconduct and potential compromise,” a State Department official said on background. “Every officer takes an oath to serve the United States and to uphold our security standards. No one is above that.”

Rubio has taken a hard line on countering Chinese influence within U.S. institutions since becoming Secretary of State, tightening vetting procedures for foreign contacts and expanding background checks for personnel stationed in East Asia and Washington-based policy roles.

Obamas Announce Joint Project As Divorce Rumors Swirl

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have announced a new joint project as speculation about their marriage continues online. The couple will co-produce a Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” through their production company, Higher Ground.

The play, written by David Auburn, centers on the daughter of a mathematician who discovers a notebook containing significant findings after his death. Actors Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri are set to make their Broadway debuts in the production, Variety reported.

The revival is scheduled to open in April and run for 16 weeks. Tony Award winner Thomas Kail will direct and produce alongside Mike Bosner and the Obamas.

“To bring this landmark play back to Broadway with Ayo, Don, Tommy, and Mike at the helm is an extraordinary privilege, and we couldn’t be more proud to be part of this production,” the Obamas said in a statement obtained by The Independent.

“Proof is exactly the kind of story Higher Ground was built to champion, a play that asks profound questions about brilliance, doubt, and what we inherit from the people we love most,” they said.

Rumors about the Obamas’ marriage have circulated online over the past year. Neither Barack Obama nor Michelle Obama has confirmed any separation.

The speculation intensified in early 2025 after Michelle Obama did not attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter or the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Barack Obama attended both events.

Political commentator Meghan McCain addressed the rumors during an appearance on journalist Tara Palmeri’s podcast in 2025. “I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people,” McCain said.

“I’m not talking about TMZ, I’m not talking about Perez Hilton, although I love him, he’s my friend,” she said. “I’m talking about like very serious journalists telling me that they’re hearing that the Obama divorce rumors are true.”

“We’ve heard that for a long time,” Palmeri said. “Like I just heard that they live separate lives.”