On Monday evening, several American media outlets reported that President-elect Trump (Donald Trump) plans to nominate Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
According to Politico, two sources disclosed that if Rubio is confirmed for the position, he may bring some more traditional Republican views into Trump’s foreign policy trajectory. The Florida Republican is known for taking a hawkish stance against many of America’s adversaries but also advocates for maintaining alliances like NATO.
It is currently unclear whether Rubio would support significant cuts to State Department staff, but he might back some reforms within the agency. Sources, including a former Trump administration official, chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the selection process.
Rubio’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. The New York Times was the first to report this news.
CNN reported that it is still uncertain whether Trump has officially offered Rubio the position. One source mentioned that as of that morning, it was believed that Trump was leaning towards Richard Grenell, the former ambassador to Germany, but after multiple conversations with allies of the Florida senator, Rubio was listed as his top consideration.
Given Rubio’s extensive foreign policy experience and his roles on the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, he seems to be an ideal choice for Secretary of State. The senator also hails from Florida and has a close relationship with incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The news of Rubio potentially becoming Secretary of State has sparked significant attention online.
Josh Rogin, a senior columnist at The Washington Post known for his hawkish views on China, posted on X platform, “Trump’s appointments of Waltz and Rubio are likely to make Chinese leaders nervous. That’s good. The US needs leaders who understand the character and danger of the Chinese Communist Party.”
In retaliation for the US’s attention to China’s egregious human rights abuses, the Chinese Communist Party has reportedly included Rubio on a so-called sanctions list. If Trump appoints Rubio as Secretary of State, it would be a significant irony for the communist regime, putting them in an awkward position.
Ian Bremmer, founder of the political risk consulting firm Eurasia Group, also commented, “Both Mike Waltz and Marco Rubio are serious and credible in foreign policy. The US’s allies around the world will feel more reassured by these two nominations.”