Trump will nominate Marco Rubio for secretary of state
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he'll nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for secretary of state on Wednesday, formalizing a pick two sources previously told CBS News was likely, though not certain.
"It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State," Trump said in a statement. "Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom. He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries. I look forward to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Safe and Great Again!"
Rubio's anticipated nomination once Trump takes office represents some distance from when Trump and the Florida senator were rivals in the 2016 Republican primaries. During that campaign, Trump referred to Rubio as "Little Marco" and Rubio made insinuations about Trump's manhood in a presidential debate. The two have since repaired the relationship, and Rubio campaigned with the former president this year.
"Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility, and I am honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me," Rubio said in a statement. "As secretary of state, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda. Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else. I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the U.S. Senate so the president has his national security and foreign policy team in place when he takes office on January 20."
The New York Times first reported that Trump appears to be settled on Rubio for the post.
Rubio, 53, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is a China hawk with extensive foreign policy experience. Republicans will control the Senate in January, giving Rubio a likely easy path to confirmation, buoyed by his Republican colleagues.
In Florida, the governor appoints a temporary replacement for open U.S. Senate seats, meaning Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would select Rubio's successor if he's confirmed.
Trump has announced a slew of nominees and appointments since winning a second term last week, with more expected to come in the weeks ahead.
