President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) as his Secretary of State when he takes office in January.
According to The New York Times, sources close to Trump’s decision-making process indicate that Rubio is the top choice. Known as a foreign policy hawk, Rubio is seen as a strong candidate for restoring American leadership on the world stage.
Rubio has established a reputation for his firm stances on China and Iran. “He initially clashed with Republicans wary of foreign interventions but has recently aligned more closely with Trump’s views on issues like Russia’s war in Ukraine,” the report noted, adding that Rubio now believes the conflict “needs to be brought to a conclusion.”
The news follows The Wall Street Journal report that Trump has selected Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL), a former Green Beret, to serve as his national security adviser. A source confirmed the report to media outlets.
As national security adviser, Waltz will play a key role in advising the president on security issues, coordinating between security agencies, and executing Trump’s agenda—a role that does not require Senate confirmation. Known for his hardline stance on China, Waltz is expected to support a “peace through strength” approach to U.S. foreign policy.
These appointments are part of Trump’s early picks for his incoming administration. He has already announced Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as U.N. Ambassador, former ICE acting director Tom Homan as “border czar,” and former Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY) as head of the EPA.
