It is anticipated that President-elect Donald Trump will appoint Marco Rubio, a Senator from Florida, to the position of Secretary of State in his upcoming administration.
The New York Times has reported that Trump has largely settled on Rubio, having previously considered him for the role of his running mate.
Interestingly, it appears Rubio has been preparing for the Secretary of State role all along. Since his election to the Senate in 2010, he has developed a reputation as a proponent of aggressive foreign policy, particularly regarding China and Iran.
Regarding Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, Rubio has mostly aligned himself with Republican perspectives, stating that the war has reached a deadlock and “needs a resolution,” mirroring the views of potential National Security Adviser Rep. Mike Walz.
News of recent developments from Trump’s headquarters follows reports of the president-elect secluding himself in Mar-a-Lago, collaborating with advisers including Elon Musk, as he reviews “digital dossiers” for selecting Cabinet members.
Based on his selections thus far, it appears that the ratings-conscious Trump is favoring individuals who have been loyal to him and resonate well with conservative values.
Notably, despite Trump’s earlier jibes branding him as “Little Marco,” Rubio was among the last GOP supporters to stand by Trump during the campaign, including events leading up to the election in Raleigh, North Carolina. Furthermore, Rubio attended Trump’s 78th birthday celebration in June, indicating that any previous tensions between them have been resolved.
So far, Trump has nominated “fighter” Elise Stefanik to the position of UN Ambassador, appointed climate change skeptic and former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, and made history with the appointment of Susie Wiles as his chief of staff. Additionally, he has named Tom Homan as his “border czar,” who advocates for a “zero-tolerance” border policy.
