Vice President JD Vance officially swore in former Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State in a ceremony at the White House on Monday. Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, Rubio took the oath of office, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his political career as the nation’s top diplomat under President Donald Trump.
“I want to give a special welcome to Senator Rubio’s family, especially his four beautiful kids and his wife,” Vance said before administering the oath. “Marco is one of my favorite people in Washington.” The vice president praised Rubio’s humble beginnings as the son of Cuban immigrants and his commitment to conservative principles while highlighting his bipartisan approach and deep understanding of the administration’s foreign policy priorities.
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In his remarks, Vance emphasized that Rubio’s confirmation with a 99-0 vote in the Senate was a testament to his reputation as a solutions-driven leader with a clear vision for the nation’s foreign affairs.
Rubio expressed gratitude to his wife Jeanette and their four children, calling them the cornerstone of his success. “I would not stand here before you today without their unwavering support,” he said, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made throughout his political career.
During his speech, Rubio underscored the Trump administration’s foreign policy priorities, stating that the Department of State would focus solely on advancing American interests, a core tenet of Trump’s “America First” agenda. “President Trump made it very clear that everything we do must answer one of three questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America more prosperous? Does it make America stronger?” Rubio said. “If it doesn’t do one of those three things, we will not do it.”
Rubio also noted that under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. will pursue peace through strength, standing firm on values while fostering global stability. He pledged to execute the administration’s foreign policy initiatives with diligence and integrity, saying, “We are entering a new era that will make the world a safer place, and we are committed to ensuring the president’s vision becomes a reality.”
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As part of his closing remarks, Rubio spoke briefly in Spanish to acknowledge the significance of the moment for his constituents in Florida and the broader Hispanic community.
The Senate voted Monday to confirm Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State.
The vote passed with unanimous support, netting 99 yes votes and zero no votes, according to the unofficial tally. Rubio will serve as President Donald Trump’s chief foreign policy advisor and main representative for the U.S. abroad.
“While America far too often continued to prioritize the ‘global order’ above our core national interests, other nations continued to act the way countries always have and always will, in what they perceive to be in their best interest,” Rubio said in his confirmation hearing Jan. 15. “And instead of folding into the post-Cold War global order, they have manipulated it to serve their interest at the expense of ours.”
The senator developed a reputation in Republican politics for being a foreign policy hawk, advocating for a globally involved U.S. that protects “freedom fighters” and democracies, according to a speech he gave in 2011. As he grew closer to Trump during the 2024 election cycle, Rubio’s views evolved to become more attuned to Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy agenda.
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Rubio voted against a foreign aid package in 2024 that included Ukraine funding while retaining his hawkish stance on China and Latin America. He has been particularly outspoken about communist Cuba, saying at his hearing that he would reverse Biden’s removal of the nation from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
Additionally, Rubio underscored during his confirmation hearing the need for a strong approach to combat China’s economy and military. He also reaffirmed his support for the NATO alliance, which has come under fire from Trump due to the U.S. paying substantially more for the alliance than other member states.
Rubio has been outspoken on curbing Iran’s nuclear program, saying that, while he is open to a deal, any concessions the U.S. makes to the regime would likely cause Iran “to build their weapons systems and to try to restart their sponsorship of Hezbollah and other related entities.”
He also supported a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, saying both sides must make concessions for the nearly three-year-old conflict to end.
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“Prudence in the conduct of foreign policy is not an abandonment of our values,” Rubio said during the hearing. “It’s the commonsense understanding that while we remain the wealthiest and the most powerful nation on the Earth, our wealth has never been unlimited … Placing our core national interest above all else is not isolation.”
Rubio’s appointment comes as the Trump administration pivots toward reshaping America’s global standing, with a focus on addressing challenges related to China, Russia, and Latin America. His priorities are expected to include strengthening alliances, enhancing national security, and redefining trade agreements in line with Trump’s economic policies.
With his swearing-in, Rubio now assumes the responsibility of leading U.S. diplomacy at a time of heightened global tensions and shifting alliances. His confirmation received bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both sides recognizing his extensive foreign policy experience and commitment to national security.
Stay tuned for more updates as Secretary Rubio embarks on his tenure at the State Department.
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