Florida Senator Marco Rubio is tipped by US media as being the frontrunner for the post of Secretary of the State in the cabinet of Donald Trump.
Several US media outlets have reported that Rubio is in talks with the Trump transition team over the senior position, but it has not been finalized. It appears the president-elect could still change his mind.
Rubio serves as the vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and sits on the Foreign Relations Committee.
The BBC says he is considered a foreign policy “hawk” – meaning someone who takes hard-line positions – towards Iran as well as China. While supportive of Ukraine, he previously said the country’s war with Russia needed to “be brought to a conclusion”.
Trump and bitter rival Rubio in 2016
Rubio and Trump were opponents in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and the two developed a bitter rivalry.
They clashed on a variety of issues – particularly immigration – and the conflict led to various insults. Trump referred to the senator as “little Marco” and Rubio mocked Trump’s “small hands”.
But Rubio went on to endorse his rival and campaigned for him ahead of the 2024 election. He was also in the frame to be Trump’s running mate – a role that ultimately went to JD Vance, who takes a similar view towards China.
Rubio, the son of working-class Cuban immigrants, was first elected to the Senate in 2010.
Other likely appointments
Trump’s administration is starting to take shape after his win in last week’s presidential election. His Republican Party is closing in on full control of Congress. They have won back control of the Senate, the upper chamber, and they are inching towards a majority in the House, the lower chamber, as vote counting continues.
Stephen Miller, last seen in public declaring that “America is for Americans and Americans only” at Trump’s seething Madison Square Garden rally, is expected to be named as White House deputy chief of staff for policy.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reported early Tuesday that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who has been a fervent supporter of Trump dating back to his first term, is his pick for secretary of Homeland Security. Noem is a heroine of the MAGA movement and star of conservative media.
Two sources have confirmed to CBS that military veteran Michael Waltz is the favorite for Trump’s national security adviser.
In his book, Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan, he documented his experiences serving in the Pentagon during the George W Bush administration and in combat operations overseas.
Like Rubio, Waltz has taken a tough line on China. As chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, he argued the US needed to do more to prepare for conflict in the Pacific.
He has also said the US should maintain its support for Ukraine, but in recent weeks has advocated for a reassessment of US spending on aid for the war effort.
Some of the appointments – including secretary of state – will require senators’ approval, although Trump has demanded that the next Senate leader let him bypass this. He can give out other jobs – like national security adviser – directly.
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