President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities put a spotlight on two former senators who could vie to succeed him as the leader of the Republican Party and his “Make America Great Again” movement: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
As the commander in chief addressed the nation Saturday night from the East Room of the White House, Vance stood behind his right shoulder and Rubio was over his left. Vance, who briefly served as an Ohio senator, was mostly stern-faced, while Rubio, the former senior senator from Florida who is also the acting national security adviser, nodded along as Trump explained his decision.
The framing had a distinct present-and-future feel, with the 79-year-old Trump staring down a departure from active politics at the end of this term — though he has said his team is “looking at” how he might, legally, seek a third term. The future took center stage on Sunday, as Vance and Rubio made the rounds on the weekend political shows to defend Trump’s decisions, tout the strikes and spar with the hosts.
