Marco Rubio’s growing list of roles includes top diplomat, foreign aid chief, national archivist, and now national security adviser, reflecting President Donald Trump‘s increasing confidence in the former Florida senator, according to officials. On Thursday, Trump announced that his national security adviser Mike Waltz would transition to the position of UN ambassador, shortly after Waltz included a journalist from The Atlantic in a Signal chat discussing military actions against the Houthis in Yemen.
In response, Trump appointed Rubio as his interim national security aide, marking another instance of the president relying on someone he previously criticized as ‘Little Marco’ and a con artist for significant responsibilities within his administration. Rubio will oversee the council responsible for coordinating the administration’s global national security efforts.
Trump has not specified when a permanent successor will be appointed. This reshuffle occurs as the administration seeks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, restore a failed ceasefire in Gaza, and engage in intricate nuclear negotiations with Iran, all while navigating the diplomatic repercussions of Trump’s trade war with China.
A senior U.S. official noted that Rubio has earned Trump’s trust by diligently executing the tasks assigned to him. ‘He’s done everything that Trump has asked him to do,’ the official stated, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
NSC Spokesman Brian Hughes informed Reuters that Rubio has effectively implemented Trump’s America First agenda and is ‘well qualified’ to lead the council. A U.S. official also mentioned to Reuters that Trump is comfortable with the new arrangement of Rubio serving as both secretary of state and national security adviser for the foreseeable future. Earlier on Friday, Politico reported that Rubio is anticipated to hold both positions for at least six months.
‘He resolves it’
Initially, Rubio was dispatched to Panama to articulate Trump’s commitment to ‘reclaim’ the Panama Canal in a more diplomatic manner. Following a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in March, Trump sent Rubio to Saudi Arabia, where he contributed to revitalizing peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia. Rubio has also been instrumental in Trump’s contentious immigration policies, securing a deal to transfer suspected gang members to a high-security facility in El Salvador and revoking numerous student visas, often targeting those involved in anti-Israel demonstrations.
Notably, Rubio has passionately supported Trump’s initiatives, even when they contradicted his earlier stances. As a U.S. Senator, he advocated for global foreign aid, yet under Trump, he has overseen the dismantling of the primary U.S. aid agency and has defended this action. During a Rose Garden event, Trump expressed gratitude for Rubio’s ‘extraordinary’ contributions, stating, ‘When I encounter an issue, I reach out to Marco; he resolves it.’
While it is not unusual for one individual to hold multiple positions simultaneously—Henry Kissinger was both Secretary of State and national security adviser in the 1970s—Rubio’s extensive responsibilities raise concerns about his ability to manage them effectively. In addition to being the U.S. chief diplomat, Rubio also oversees the U.S.
Agency for International Development and serves as the acting archivist of the United States, a role responsible for maintaining government records. ‘Each of these positions demands an extraordinary level of commitment, concentration, and energy,’ remarked a State Department official, who wished to remain anonymous for candidness. ‘Even with the best intentions, I struggle to see how one can fulfill both roles simultaneously without compromising essential duties that cannot be easily delegated.’
Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for Rubio at the State Department, stated that Rubio has a supportive team to assist him in managing both roles. ‘If anyone can accomplish this, it will be Marco Rubio.’ Key foreign policy matters are still being handled by a select group, with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff spearheading discussions regarding Russia, the Iran nuclear talks, and the conflict in Gaza.
‘The president has gathered an exceptionally skilled team dedicated to prioritizing America and its citizens,’ the State Department mentioned in an email response to a request for comment. ‘Secretary Rubio is eager to serve as the interim National Security Adviser while ensuring that the essential operations at the State Department proceed without disruption.’
Trump and Rubio previously exchanged sharp criticisms
During the fiercely contested 2016 Republican presidential nomination campaign, Rubio and Trump engaged in a series of confrontations. They traded insults on stage, with Trump labeling Rubio as ‘Little Marco’ and criticizing him as a ‘con artist’ for his absences in the Senate.
In response, Rubio called Trump a ‘con man’ and ridiculed him for allegedly having small hands. Rubio later explained that these remarks were part of a competitive primary, likening himself to a boxer facing an opponent. ‘It doesn’t mean you hate the guy; we were just competing for the same position,’ Rubio stated in an interview with CNN.
Following Trump’s inauguration in 2017, their relationship improved as Rubio, a Cuban American, became instrumental in advising on policies regarding Venezuela and Cuba. He played a significant role in shaping Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ strategy against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which included sanctions on the country’s crucial energy sector, and in reversing former President Obama’s approach to Cuba.
A senior State Department official, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that Trump’s increasing dependence on Rubio stemmed from their history of collaboration and the development of both a professional and personal rapport.
A long-time supporter of traditional Republican foreign policy, which includes strong backing for Ukraine, commitment to NATO, and a tough stance on China regarding human rights, Rubio has gradually embraced Trump’s America First ideology.
At the State Department, he has dismantled an office focused on countering misinformation from Russia and China, claiming it targeted conservatives. Additionally, he has collaborated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to reduce funding for various programs he once endorsed as a senator and has initiated a significant restructuring that would close offices dedicated to human rights and war crimes.
Cleansing of Immigration Records
Rubio utilized his authority within the State Department to revoke the study permits of foreign students in the U.S., which included a Turkish student who penned an op-ed criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. During a visit to El Salvador in February, Rubio, who speaks Spanish, reached an agreement with President Nayib Bukele that resulted in the transportation of hundreds of men to the country via military aircraft, despite U.S. courts attempting to halt the deportations.
Among those deported was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a resident of Maryland. The administration acknowledged that his deportation to El Salvador, in violation of a court order, was an error. At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Rubio, who was seated next to Trump, stated that the judiciary could not compel the administration to attempt to return Abrego Garcia.
‘The conduct of our foreign policy is the responsibility of the president of the United States and the executive branch, not a judge,’ Rubio informed reporters.
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