The U.S. State Department is investigating the arrest of a member of the security team of Secretary of State Marco Rubio following an alleged altercation at a Brussels hotel.
The Washington Examiner had first reported that a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) member had been detained on March 31 after arguing with hotel staff and fighting with responding police officers.
Rubio stayed in the same location, Hotel Amigo, later that week when he attended a NATO’s foreign ministers meeting.
The prosecutor’s office in the Belgian capital told Newsweek it had not yet been notified about the reason for the arrest of the unnamed DSS shift supervisor because it was “an administrative arrest.”
The State Department told Newsweek on Wednesday it was aware of the allegations and these were being examined, but it would not discuss personnel matters.
Why It Matters
The reported arrest of a DSS team member has created negative headlines for the law enforcement agency which is responsible for protecting American diplomats and diplomatic compounds as well as investigating passport and visa fraud.
What to Know
The Washington Examiner reported on Monday that a DSS shift supervisor had been staying at Brussels’ Hotel Amigo as part of a protective advance party responsible for security preparations ahead of Rubio’s visit in Belgium.
He started arguing with hotel staff after they refused to reopen the bar beyond its normal hours and he became physically aggressive, according to the Examiner citing two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf said it had corroborated this account of events, which was also reported by The Hill.
The man was arrested and released from police custody later that day after intervention by the U.S. Embassy, according to The Hill.
Rubio was in Brussels between April 2 and 4 for a NATO summit and a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
The Brussels prosecutor’s office told Newsweek it was an administrative arrest and so had not been notified of the facts. Brussels police also would not comment, according to Belgian newspaper La Libre.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. State Department in a statement to Newsweek: “The Diplomatic Security Service is aware of allegations of an incident involving an employee in Brussels, Belgium on March 31, 2025. While we don’t discuss specific personnel matters, the allegations are being examined.”
The Brussels prosecutor’s office told Newsweek: “The arrest of a member of a member of Mr. Rubio security team was an administrative arrest. This means that the Brussels Prosecutor’s office has not been informed on the reasons of this arrest.”
What Happens Next
The U.S. State Department said it would investigate the allegations.
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