President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State, according to multiple sources familiar with the decision. This move is seen as a victory for the defense-minded faction of the Republican Party, following the appointments of Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) as National Security Adviser and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
While the announcement has not been officially confirmed, The New York Times reports that Rubio’s nomination is widely anticipated, though Trump could still alter his choice at the last minute.
Rubio, a long-time advocate for strong national defense, has previously been considered for high-profile positions, including alongside former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell. While Rubio has softened his stance on some issues, such as the war in Ukraine, calling for a resolution, he remains firm in his hawkish approach toward Iran and China.
Trump’s relationship with Rubio has evolved since their contentious rivalry during the 2015 Republican presidential primaries, where they exchanged sharp words. After the 2016 election, however, the two became allies, with Rubio emerging as a key supporter of Trump’s policies. He was even considered as a potential running mate for Trump before Vice President-elect J.D. Vance secured the spot.
Sources also noted that Trump’s decision to appoint Rubio would continue his trend of selecting individuals aligned with his foreign policy vision, which prioritizes a strong defense and a hardline approach to global adversaries. The announcement of Rubio’s selection is expected to further solidify Trump’s foreign policy team ahead of his inauguration.
