In a swift move on Inauguration Day, the Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marking the first appointment in President Donald Trump’s new cabinet. The vote ended with a resounding 99-0 in favor of the Republican senator from Florida, who is one of the less contentious nominees in Trump’s lineup. Another nominee, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, is also slated for a quick vote, potentially as early as Tuesday, while discussions surrounding other appointments like Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary may take place later in the week.
Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa highlighted Rubio’s intelligence and his keen grasp of U.S. foreign policy during the Senate’s proceedings. It is customary for the Senate to convene shortly after an inauguration ceremony to start establishing the new president’s team, particularly for national security roles. In previous transitions, such as Trump’s first term and Joe Biden’s inauguration, key appointees like defense and homeland security secretaries were confirmed on the same day.
As Trump reassumes the presidency with his party holding significant control in Congress, his choice of outsiders for the cabinet seems to be more firmly accepted, despite earlier doubts and resistance from various lawmakers. After his confirmation, Rubio expressed optimism, noting the critical nature of his new role by stating, “It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune promptly announced that voting on Trump’s nominees would commence imminently. Meanwhile, Democrats have decided it’s strategically advantageous to appear cooperative rather than simply opposing Trump’s selections. Their primary resistance is reserved for failing candidates like Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer mentioned that the party would neither blindly support nominees deemed unqualified nor reject those deserving of a fair appraisal, highlighting Rubio as a prime candidate for quick confirmation. In anticipation of more nominees, Senate committees have already been conducting thorough confirmation hearings, with further votes expected as the week progresses.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, alongside other panels, has been actively advancing various nominations. Rubio’s nomination saw unanimous approval from the Foreign Relations Committee, while Hegseth and Ratcliffe’s nominations were also endorsed by respective committees for Armed Services and Intelligence. There was some dissent regarding Kristi Noem for Homeland Security and Russell Vought for the Office of Management and Budget, indicating a level of partisan division on certain selections.
Having previously competed against Trump in the 2016 presidential election, Rubio has shifted closer to the president in recent years, demonstrating bipartisan appeal among his peers in the Senate. Following his appointment as Secretary of State, Rubio will become the highest-ranking diplomat, as well as the first Latino to hold the role. With his roots in Miami from Cuban immigrant parents, he has long been involved in foreign policy, particularly concerning South America, and adopts a tough stance on China’s growing influence.
During his confirmation process, Rubio stressed the risks of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he shares Trump’s anti-globalist sentiments, he is also perceived as an internationalist aware of the U.S.’s role in global affairs. His ability to garner bipartisan support puts him in a favorable position to lead U.S. diplomacy.
Rubio is set to replace Antony Blinken as Secretary of State, who has expressed a desire for the Trump administration to carry on policies initiated during the Biden presidency, particularly concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The Senate, currently divided with a 53-47 majority, is anticipated to face challenges as any objection from a senator, likely regarding Hegseth or other choices, may necessitate extended procedural steps, delaying votes into the latter part of the week.
