Rubio in Line for Top Diplomat Role: Trump Reportedly Settles on Florida Senator as Secretary of State
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly poised to nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State, Al Jazeera reports, citing multiple media outlets.
Sources familiar with the decision, citing unnamed sources, report that Trump settled on Rubio on Monday, although the final decision remains subject to change.
The news comes as Trump’s incoming administration rapidly takes shape, with several key appointments announced in recent days.
If appointed, Rubio, known for his hawkish foreign policy views, would become the first Hispanic American to serve as the United States’ top diplomat.
Other candidates considered for the role included Richard Grenell, former ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, and Robert O’Brien, Trump’s former national security advisor.
Rubio, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, has cultivated a reputation for his hardline stance against US adversaries, including China, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. He has also consistently supported Israel’s actions in Gaza, notably blaming Hamas entirely for Palestinian casualties during the 2021 conflict.
The news of Rubio’s potential appointment comes with a twist of political intrigue. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Rubio and Trump clashed publicly, with Rubio famously mocking Trump’s hand size and his “make America great again” slogan. However, Rubio later endorsed Trump and served as a foreign policy advisor during the 2020 campaign.
Rubio’s potential role in the new administration highlights the growing influence of the Republican Senator, who has become a prominent figure within the party in recent years.
