President-elect Donald J. Trump mentioned on Wednesday that he would nominate Senator Marco Rubio of Florida to be his secretary of state, choosing a onetime political rival and overseas coverage hawk who has taken a hard-line strategy to China that aligns with Mr. Trump’s views.
Mr. Trump’s determination, which had been anticipated, provides to a overseas coverage and nationwide safety workforce that he has been filling out rapidly within the days after successful re-election.
Mr. Rubio, who had been a prime contender to turn into Mr. Trump’s operating mate within the presidential race this 12 months, was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He has staked out an aggressive overseas coverage strategy towards China, Iran and Venezuela, nations that Mr. Trump often criticized on the marketing campaign path.
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Rubio would turn into the primary Latino to function secretary of state. Mr. Trump mentioned in a press release that Mr. Rubio could 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.”
Mr. Rubio mentioned in a press release that he would “work every day” to hold out Mr. Trump’s overseas coverage 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,” he mentioned.
Mr. Rubio suggested Mr. Trump on overseas coverage throughout his administration, notably round points associated to Venezuela and Cuba. And he has been one of the vocal senators on the necessity for the US to be extra aggressive on China, a view promulgated by Mr. Trump.
Nevertheless, his views have at instances conflicted with Mr. Trump’s “America First” stance. Mr. Rubio cosponsored laws that will cease any president from pulling the US out of NATO with out Congress’s approval, a measure that was seen as a pre-emptive effort to dam Mr. Trump from following by means of on his frequent threats to desert the alliance.
Nonetheless, whereas Mr. Rubio has beforehand spoken in regards to the want for a hard-line strategy to Russia, he has extra just lately echoed Mr. Trump’s view on that nation’s battle towards Ukraine, saying that the battle “needs to be brought to a conclusion.” Mr. Rubio would probably adhere to Mr. Trump’s anticipated plans to push Ukraine to discover a technique to attain a settlement with Russia and stay exterior of NATO, a decision which may entail a big sacrifice of Ukrainian territory.
Mr. Rubio was a dependable surrogate for Mr. Trump throughout his presidential marketing campaign, even after Mr. Trump handed over him as his operating mate in favor of Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Within the Senate, he at the moment serves on the Overseas Relations Committee and is the highest Republican on the Intelligence Committee, roles during which he has labored throughout social gathering traces.
Gov. Ron DeSantis can quickly appoint a alternative for Mr. Rubio to serve within the Senate.
