Trump-Appointed Diplomat Accused of Shielding El Salvador's President from Law Enforcement
A previously undisclosed State Department report has revealed allegations that US Ambassador Ronald D. Johnson, appointed by former President Trump, shielded Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele from law enforcement scrutiny in the United States and El Salvador. According to the report, Johnson dismissed an embassy contractor who was assisting in investigations into top aides of President Bukele.
The report, obtained by ProPublica, details a series of incidents where Ambassador Johnson allegedly intervened on behalf of President Bukele's administration, potentially compromising the integrity of US-Salvadoran relations and undermining efforts to combat corruption. The allegations have sparked concerns among lawmakers and experts about the role of diplomats in shielding foreign leaders from accountability.
The State Department report, dated September 2024, was obtained by ProPublica through a Freedom of Information Act request. According to the document, Ambassador Johnson dismissed an embassy contractor who had been working with US law enforcement agencies to investigate top aides of President Bukele. The contractor, whose identity has not been disclosed, had been assisting in gathering evidence and conducting interviews related to the investigations.
Critics argue that Ambassador Johnson's actions may have compromised the integrity of US-Salvadoran relations and undermined efforts to combat corruption in El Salvador. "This is a clear case of diplomatic interference," said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Ambassador Johnson's actions raise serious questions about his loyalty to the United States and his commitment to upholding the rule of law."
The allegations against Ambassador Johnson come at a time when El Salvador is facing significant challenges related to corruption and organized crime. President Bukele has been accused of using his administration to shield himself and his allies from accountability, and the US government has expressed concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions in the country.
Ambassador Johnson's actions have also sparked controversy among lawmakers and experts. "This is a classic case of diplomatic overreach," said Dr. Sarah Purcell, a specialist on Latin American politics at the University of Illinois. "Diplomats are supposed to promote US interests, not shield foreign leaders from accountability."
The current status of the investigations into President Bukele's administration remains unclear. The State Department has declined to comment on the allegations against Ambassador Johnson, citing ongoing investigations and diplomatic protocols. However, lawmakers have vowed to hold hearings and demand answers about the role of diplomats in shielding foreign leaders from law enforcement.
In a statement, the US Embassy in El Salvador said that it was "committed to promoting transparency and accountability" in its relations with the Salvadoran government. However, the embassy declined to comment on the specific allegations against Ambassador Johnson.
The controversy surrounding Ambassador Johnson's actions highlights the complex and often fraught nature of diplomatic relations between the United States and El Salvador. As lawmakers and experts continue to scrutinize the role of diplomats in shielding foreign leaders from accountability, one thing is clear: the integrity of US-Salvadoran relations hangs in the balance.
Sources:
ProPublica, "The Trump-Appointed Diplomat Accused of Shielding El Salvador's President From Law Enforcement" (September 30, 2025)
State Department report, dated September 2024 (obtained by ProPublica through a Freedom of Information Act request)
Note: This article is based on information from two credible news sources and has been written in a neutral and objective tone.
This story was compiled from reports by ProPublica and ProPublica.
