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

President-elect Donald Trump is poised to appoint Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, according to Reuters. This would make Rubio, 53, the first Latino to hold the position of America's top diplomat when Trump assumes office in January. Rubio had also been a contender for Trump’s vice-presidential pick earlier this year.

A member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio brings a wealth of foreign policy expertise, particularly known for his firm stance on China. With Republicans taking control of the Senate in January, Rubio is expected to encounter little resistance in his confirmation, supported by his GOP colleagues.

In Florida, the governor has the authority to appoint an interim senator when a seat is vacant, so Governor Ron DeSantis would choose Rubio's successor should the nomination move forward.

Rubio has been a strong voice in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. While he has called for a negotiated settlement rather than pushing for the full return of lost territory, he was one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine in April. In a September interview with NBC, Rubio stated, "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."

Since being elected to the Senate in 2011, Rubio has held conservative positions on issues like immigration, foreign policy, and the economy. He previously served as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008. Rubio ran for president in 2016 but suspended his campaign after losing the Florida primary to Trump.

Throughout his Senate career, Rubio has served on various influential committees, including Foreign Relations and Intelligence. A vocal critic of authoritarian regimes, especially in Latin America, Rubio has advocated for a strong U.S. presence on the world stage. Born in Miami in 1971 to Cuban immigrant parents, Rubio often draws on his family’s immigrant story as a core part of his political identity.

Florida Senator Rick Scott expressed his congratulations to Rubio on X, 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 incoming administration will also include Stephen Miller, a longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner, as deputy chief of policy, and New York Representative Elise Stefanik, who is nominated for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Former New York Representative Lee Zeldin is set to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during Trump's second term.