President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to select Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state in the coming days, as reported by three insider sources involved in the decision-making process.
Officials have warned, however, that Trump’s choice is not final yet, and he may opt for a different nominee before making an official announcement.
The New York Times was the first to disclose Trump’s intention to appoint Rubio to the vital role of the nation’s top diplomat.
Foreign policy remains one of the few significant subjects where there are notable ideological rifts within Trump’s supporter base.
Throughout his campaign, President Trump focused on an “America First” agenda, which aimed to reduce foreign aid, limit U.S. engagement in ongoing international conflicts, and steer clear of future military entanglements. Nonetheless, even among his vocal supporters, there are differing views on how foreign policy should be approached.
While Rubio has publicly backed Trump, there is a perception that he represents a more moderate stance within Trump’s orbit, according to an ally of the president. This approach may resonate with Trump’s more isolationist supporters while still adhering to the less extreme facets of foreign policy that Trump loyalists generally want to avoid.
Senator Rubio, who serves on the Foreign Relations Committee, is seen as a strong candidate capable of connecting with Trump’s base while maintaining positive ties with international partners.
One Trump ally remarked that Rubio is a figure “Trump’s base can count on.”
Another supporter added, “Marco is somewhat more interventionist than both the president-elect and the vice president, but he aligns more closely with their views than one might initially think. He has found common ground with the president on tariffs, taken similar stances on issues involving China, and opposed the last funding package for Ukraine.”
A current official from the Trump administration expressed that Rubio would be a “serious” and “capable” selection. This choice would also be comforting, given that Rick Grenell—a controversial diplomat from the Trump administration’s earlier term—was under consideration, stirring concerns of politicization within the State Department among several career diplomats.
During Trump’s previous presidency, the number of senior diplomats within the State Department decreased significantly due to both voluntary retirements following his election and a shift in authority away from career officials to political appointees.
Trump had previously considered Rubio for the vice-presidential slot before selecting Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio.
Should Rubio take on the role of secretary of state, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will have the responsibility to appoint a successor. This nomination power is expected to last until at least 2026, coinciding with the term’s election cycle.
In recent days, Trump has also revealed other key appointments. He plans to nominate former Representative Lee Zeldin from New York to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and appoint Representative Mike Walz from Florida as national security adviser.
Last week, he announced that his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, would become the White House chief of staff, while Tom Homan, known for his tough immigration stance, was designated as his “border czar.”
