Marco Rubio to Be Picked as Donald Trump’s Secretary of State

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, according to Reuters.
This would make Rubio, 53, the first Latino to serve as America’s top diplomat once the Republican president-elect takes office in January. He was also a contender for Trump’s vice-presidential nomination earlier this year.
Rubio serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Known for his tough stance on China, he brings significant foreign policy expertise. With Republicans set to take control of the Senate in January, Rubio is expected to face a smooth confirmation process supported by his GOP colleagues.
In Florida, the governor appoints an interim replacement for vacant U.S. Senate seats, giving Governor Ron DeSantis the authority to choose Rubio’s successor if the nomination proceeds.
The Russia-Ukraine war is a key focus for Rubio. He has called for a negotiated settlement with Russia instead of reclaiming all lost territory and was among 15 Republican senators who voted against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine in April.
“I’m not on Russia’s side — but unfortunately, the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement,” Rubio told NBC in September.
Rubio has served as senator since 2011 and as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008. He is known for his conservative positions on immigration, foreign policy, and the economy.
Rubio ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 but suspended his campaign after losing the Florida primary to Trump.
He has served on various committees in the Senate, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence. Rubio has been a vocal critic of authoritarian regimes, particularly in Latin America, and has emphasized a strong U.S. presence on the global stage.
Born in Miami in 1971 to Cuban immigrant parents, Rubio often highlights his family’s immigrant story as part of his political identity.
Florida Senator Rick Scott congratulated Rubio on X on Monday night, writing: I’m thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State
@marcorubio! He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage!
“It’s been an honor to serve the people of Florida alongside him and look forward to continuing our work together.”
Trump’s new administration also includes longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as the deputy chief of policy and New York Representative Elise Stefanik as his nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Former New York Representative Lee Zeldin will lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during Trump’s second term as president.
Update 11/11/24, 9:39 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.