In a rare unanimous decision, the Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state on Monday with a 99-0 vote, making him the first Cabinet official approved in President Donald Trump’s administration, just hours after the inauguration.
Rubio, a Republican who has served as a Florida senator since 2011, received strong bipartisan backing. During his confirmation hearing, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described Rubio as “well-qualified to serve as secretary of state.”
Rubio’s appointment marks a significant political shift. Once a fierce critic of Trump during the 2016 GOP presidential primary—when he called Trump a “con artist,” and Trump derisively referred to him as “Little Marco”—Rubio has since solidified his standing as a foreign policy expert. As a senior Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has earned respect from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
At the hearing, Rubio outlined his key priorities as secretary of state. He reaffirmed his strong support for NATO and highlighted a bipartisan law he co-sponsored to prevent the U.S. from withdrawing from the alliance without Senate approval.
Rubio also addressed the growing challenges posed by China, referring to the Chinese Communist Party as a “potent” and “dangerous” adversary. “They’re a technological adversary and competitor, an industrial competitor, an economic competitor, geopolitical competitor, [and] a scientific competitor now, in every realm,” Rubio said, characterizing the threat as “an extraordinary challenge” that will define the 21st century. He emphasized the importance of rebuilding the United States’ domestic industrial base and diversifying critical supply chains to reduce reliance on foreign nations. “Much of what we need to do to confront China is here at home,” he stated.
On Russia’s war in Ukraine, Rubio expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to fully regain territory lost since the 2022 invasion. “What Vladimir Putin has done is unacceptable, there’s no doubt about it, but this war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end,” he said, noting his alignment with Trump on this issue.
Rubio, known for his expertise in foreign relations, is particularly knowledgeable about the Western Hemisphere. During his confirmation hearing, he spoke extensively about Haiti, describing the country’s lack of legitimate authority as a threat to the Dominican Republic and the region.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Attorney General Ashley Moody would fill Rubio’s Senate seat following his confirmation.
