President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Marco Rubio will be his Secretary of State, confirming widespread reports that began anticipating the decision on Monday night.
"He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said in a statement while flying back to Florida after meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington.
Rubio also released a statement, saying that leading the "U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility and I am honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me."
"As Secretary of State, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda. Under the leadership of President Trump we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else," added Rubio, whose nomination will have to be confirmed by the Senate.
My statement on being nominated for United States Secretary of State by President-elect Donald Trump: pic.twitter.com/r6q3iaZF0G
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) November 13, 2024
Rubio's anointment didn't go down well with some MAGA personalities who supported Richard Grenell for the job. Even before the confirmation, conservative comedian Dave Smith lashed out against the news on his X account, calling Rubio "a disaster." "Might as well give Liz Cheney the State Department." Right-wing influencer Peachy Keenan wrote: "Rubio? Was Hillary unavailable?."
However, the AP reported that Rubio's confirmation could win bipartisan support in the Senate. His counterpart on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Virginia Senator Mark Warner, supported the pick, saying that "while we don't always agree, he is smart, talented, and will be a strong voice for American interests around the globe."
Rubio has consistently taken a hawkish stance on several key foreign policy issues, emphasizing a hardline approach toward countries like China, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and Russia.
Rubio has been among the most insistent on the need for the United States to be more aggressive with China, referring to the country as "the most powerful adversary the U.S. has faced in living memory." He has championed measures to protect American technology from Chinese influence, such as calling for a national security review of apps like TikTok. He has also pushed for stronger sanctions against China, particularly in response to human rights abuses involving the Uyghur minority in the Easternmost province of Xinjiang.
Regarding Iran, Rubio has also long supported a hardline policy, endorsing tougher sanctions and measures to curb the country's nuclear ambitions. He has called for increased pressure on Iran and its allies in the region, including Hezbollah, and has worked to prevent the U.S. from re-entering the Iran nuclear deal, which he opposed during the Obama administration.
On Venezuela, Rubio has been a vocal critic of Nicolás Maduro's regime. He played a key role in pushing for sanctions against Venezuela and has consistently called for the removal of Maduro, whom he views as a dictator. Despite the suffering caused by sanctions, Maduro remains in power, but Rubio remains steadfast in his support for efforts to undermine his government.
Rubio's stance on Cuba mirrors his position on Venezuela, backing for strong opposition to the Cuban government. He has supported sanctions aimed at weakening the Cuban regime and has criticized any moves to normalize relations with Havana, calling for greater U.S. support for Cuban dissidents.
On Russia, Rubio has expressed concern over Moscow's aggressive actions, particularly its invasion of Ukraine. While he supports Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, he has since suggested that the conflict should be brought to a "conclusion." This aligns with his view that NATO should be more focused on European defense, with countries like Germany, France, and the UK taking a greater role in managing regional security.
Rubio has consistently backed Israel, particularly during times of heightened conflict, strongly supporting Israel's actions in Gaza and blaming Hamas for the violence. He has been critical of U.S. officials advocating for ceasefires that do not include the dismemberment of Hamas.
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