As a result, Gunter wanted the State Department to obtain special permission from the Icelandic government for him to have a firearm. "Protection programs for our leadership are standard features at most U.S. facilities around the world," a State Department official said when asked about the "bodyguard" position. Jeffrey Ross Gunter U.S. Department of StateThe State Department did not directly address a question about Gunter's desire to arm himself. A senior embassy told Foreign Policy the claim was "totally inaccurate" and the two issues were unrelated. The State Department did not comment when asked if the Secretary still has confidence in his Ambassador to Iceland.