WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (Diya TV) — President-Elect Donald Trump will tap U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as his Secretary of State, according to a source directly familiar with the situation and another inside the administration. Rubio will be the first Latino ever to be in the position of Secretary of State in the United States if confirmed. The nomination is to be officially announced upon Trump’s assumption of office in January.
A foreign policy hawk, Rubio has carved out a place for himself in Washington as something of a hardliner on some of America’s worst enemies: China, Iran, and Cuba. He is perhaps one of the most prominent national security voices, having served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee. His appointment fits with Trump’s resolve to maintain a hard line approach to the United States’ geopolitical adversaries while strengthening the U.S. diplomacy record in Latin America.
But while the President-Elect had not yet officially confirmed Rubio’s appointment, a top campaign source close to the campaign said Trump had largely settled on Rubio for the role. “Rubio’s experience in foreign affairs, especially in Latin America, makes him a strong candidate for the position,” the source added. Still, though, are concerns within the Trump inner circle that the views of Rubio might potentially clash with the isolationist tendencies Trump is seen to possess.
Rubio has softened some of his earlier hard-line views to fall in line with Trump’s vision of restrained foreign policy. He often attacked previous administrations that landed the U.S. in expensive wars and emphasized a preference for diplomacy rather than for military intervention. He has recently taken up the same tone, advocating for a negotiated settlement for Ukraine and opposing a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other allies.
While some Trump fans are skeptical of Rubio’s nomination, others believe it could help shift Republicans further cement gains among Latino voters, who played a major role in the outcome of Trump’s victory in the election of 2024. Where Latino voters decidedly shifted toward Trump on his behalf, helping along the way secure him an easy victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, placing Rubio in that key position could further solidify that position.
Political analysts believe that Rubio would bring to his job a focus on Latin America which has not been seen in previous administrations. According to Mauricio Claver-Carone, the former aide of the Trump administration at the National Security Council, “Rubio’s appointment would mark the most significant focus on Latin America in U.S. history.”.
Criticisms have, though, been raised from his nomination. Some of the pro-Trump voices on social media have actually criticized him, listing how Rubio fares against other contenders, such as Richard Grenell, former U.S. ambassador to Germany. Despite the mixed reactions, Rubio’s experience and diplomatic credentials make him a notable choice for the Secretary of State.
