The U.S. Senate made a critical decision. It came in the most unexpected way.
And the U.S. Senate just shocked Trump with a 99-0 vote he never could have predicted.
Marco Rubio Confirmed as Secretary of State in Unanimous Senate Vote
On Monday night, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously, 99-0, to confirm Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State under President Donald Trump. This confirmation marks a significant moment as Rubio becomes the first of Trump’s nominees to be confirmed for a Cabinet position. Rubio’s confirmation was relatively smooth, moving swiftly through the GOP-controlled Senate. He garnered support not only from his Republican colleagues but also from many Democrats. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Rubio had previously served, approved his nomination earlier that day with no opposition. Rubio’s nomination was then brought to the full Senate for a vote, which passed without a hitch.
Having previously served on both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Rubio brings a wealth of experience in national security, particularly in Latin America. His experience with global affairs and intelligence makes him well-suited for the role. Once an opponent of President Trump, Rubio has since aligned himself with Trump’s populist policies and is now a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio made clear his foreign policy priorities. He placed confronting the Chinese regime at the top of his agenda, calling China a more significant threat to the U.S. than the Soviet Union and the most dangerous adversary America has ever faced.
In his new role as Secretary of State, Rubio will inherit a critical diplomatic situation in the Middle East. The Trump administration has brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and Rubio will oversee its implementation. The ceasefire began over the weekend, with Hamas releasing several hostages after a year of captivity. Rubio has long been a strong supporter of Israel and believes that Iran’s influence in the region is at its weakest in years.
Congratulations to my friend Marco Rubio on being sworn-in as our next U.S. Secretary of State! pic.twitter.com/SmHp2vb8f2
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) January 21, 2025
Additionally, Rubio will take on the task of executing President Trump’s foreign policy vision, particularly his plan to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has made it clear that bringing the war to a conclusion will be a priority, although both sides of the conflict appear unwilling to negotiate at present. Rubio, acknowledging the challenges, emphasized the need for strategic solutions to these ongoing global crises.
Trump’s inauguration speech underscored his commitment to military strength and peace. “Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end — and perhaps most important, the wars we never get into,” Trump stated. “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be: a peacemaker and a unifier.”
In anticipation of Rubio’s confirmation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis moved swiftly to fill Rubio’s vacant Senate seat. DeSantis appointed Ashley Moody, the state’s attorney general, to replace Rubio. Moody is a strong ally of DeSantis and is expected to align with Trump’s agenda in the Senate.
As Rubio takes on his new role as Secretary of State, his extensive background in foreign relations, national security, and intelligence will undoubtedly shape his approach to the global challenges that lie ahead. His confirmation marks the beginning of what is expected to be a pivotal period in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.
Trump Allies Skeptical Of Rubio As Secretary of State
When Trump announced that he would be nominating Marco Rubio to the position of Secretary of State, a number of high-profile allies of Donald Trump voiced concern about Marco Rubio being too much of a “warhawk” or a neoconservative on issues of foreign policy for their liking. Certainly, Marco Rubio is more on the interventionist end of the spectrum.
Former Fox News host and close ally of Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson reportedly tried to warn Donald Trump against picking Rubio for the critical role as Secretary of State. Some other allies who voiced concerns include Steve Bannon and former U.S. House Rep. Ron Paul. Senator Rand Paul did end up voting for Rubio to be confirmed as well.
The Conservative Column will update you on any news from Marco Rubio in his new post as Secretary of State for the second Trump administration.
