Vice President JD Vance said anyone selling access to the White House should face consequences, addressing disputed allegations surrounding Kimberly Guilfoyle's departure as U.S. ambassador to Greece while declining to pass judgment on her conduct.
Speaking at a CBS News town hall in Michigan on Thursday, October 15, Vance also said he would comply with congressional subpoenas if Democrats win control of either chamber in November and pursue promised investigations into the Trump administration.
"First of all, if somebody's selling access to the White House, that's disgusting and despicable and they should suffer consequences," Vance told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil.
The remarks followed the White House's announcement Tuesday that it had asked Guilfoyle to resign after reports of alleged misconduct. Guilfoyle subsequently announced her departure, denied the allegations and said she intended to defend her reputation.
The controversy centers on allegations that Guilfoyle sought $100,000 from businessman Eric Deters while he was seeking assistance from Trump administration officials. Deters said she asked him to wire the money to help cover her American Express credit card bill.
Deters characterized the alleged request as an exchange of money for access. He told CBS that he never transferred the $100,000, and the reporting does not establish that access to White House officials was sold.
CBS reviewed messages supplied by Deters. Guilfoyle's lawyers offered a different explanation, saying the requested money represented unpaid compensation for earlier public appearances, speaking engagements and related services. Deters disputes that account.
Vance's condemnation was conditional. He did not say that Guilfoyle had sold access or that the accusations against her had been substantiated, and he emphasized that his assessment would depend on evidence.
"I want to make those judgments based on the facts and not based on a random news media report that I read," he said.
The published exchange did not identify a specific penalty Vance believed Guilfoyle should face. Her resignation followed the White House's request, but the accounts provided no finding resolving the conflicting explanations for the payment request.
Dokoupil also raised reporting about President Donald Trump's cryptocurrency earnings. Trump has denied conflicts of interest, and those financial questions are separate from the allegations involving Guilfoyle.
Both subjects surfaced as the administration faces the possibility of stronger congressional oversight after the November 3 midterm elections. Democrats have pledged to investigate the administration if they capture the House or Senate.
Control of either chamber would allow Democrats to lead its committees and use their subpoena powers to seek documents and testimony. The scope of any inquiries would depend on lawmakers' decisions and the procedures governing congressional investigations.
Asked whether the administration would comply with subpoenas, Vance replied: "Of course I will. Look, I mean, we follow the law."
He did not address any particular demand for records or testimony, or explain how the administration would handle potential disputes over disclosure. The one-hour Michigan town hall is scheduled to air Saturday evening, October 17.
