The White House has responded to an internal watchdog report concerning the behavior of the U.S. ambassador to Singapore, Jonathan Kaplan, stating that the U.S. government is treating the matter seriously. The report outlined allegations of misconduct, including threats directed at staff and lapses in handling travel expenses totaling around $48,000.
According to the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), Ambassador Kaplan, a political appointee, faced challenges in his role, with strained relations with certain Singaporean ministries and a lack of preparedness on various issues. The report criticized his leadership style, highlighting deficiencies in integrity, strategic planning, collaboration, and communication.
Staff members reportedly expressed fear of reprisal and described interactions with the ambassador as belittling and intimidating. Despite Kaplan’s assertion of improved morale under his leadership, the report highlighted ongoing concerns regarding his management approach.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized the president’s expectation for dignified and respectful management of personnel by U.S. representatives. He expressed confidence in the State Department’s handling of the situation.
The report also scrutinized Kaplan’s handling of financial matters, noting irregularities in hiring consultants and failure to adhere to travel policies. Specifically, Kaplan was faulted for hiring consultants without proper procedures, resulting in expenses for projects such as furniture research and cafeteria redesign. Additionally, he allegedly failed to comply with travel policies, including using contracted travel agencies and U.S. carriers as required by law.
The OIG report identified approximately $48,000 in outstanding travel expenses dating back to December 2021, either awaiting reimbursement or lacking sufficient documentation for payment.
