Two Florida lawmakers, known for their strong positions on China, are reportedly being considered for senior foreign policy roles in President-elect Donald Trump's administration, according to US media.
Senator Marco Rubio is said to be the leading candidate for Secretary of State, though the selection has not yet been finalized, CBS News reports. Meanwhile, military veteran Michael Waltz is seen as the frontrunner for National Security Adviser.
The same reports also suggest that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem could be tapped for a major role in Trump's administration, with Homeland Security Secretary being a likely position.
Trump's administration is beginning to take shape following his victory in last week's presidential election.
With the Republican Party nearing full control of Congress, they have regained control of the Senate and are close to securing a majority in the House, as vote-counting continues.
Some of Trump's key appointments, such as Secretary of State, will require Senate approval. However, Trump has reportedly asked the next Senate leader to allow him to bypass this process. Other roles, like National Security Adviser, can be filled directly by the president.
The potential roles for Marco Rubio, Michael Waltz, and Kristi Noem come after Trump appointed Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, named former immigration official Tom Homan as "border tsar," and nominated New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as his future ambassador to the United Nations.
A president-elect has the responsibility to make around 4,000 political appointments, and during his first term, it took Trump several months to finalize his cabinet.
It remains uncertain whether Marco Rubio, 53, will be nominated as Secretary of State, the top diplomatic role in the US, but his career positions him as a strong contender for the job.
Several US media outlets have reported that Rubio is in talks with Trump’s transition team regarding the senior position, although no final decision has been made. It seems that Trump could still change his mind.
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Rubio currently serves as vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Known for his hawkish foreign policy stance, he has been particularly outspoken on issues related to Iran and China. While he has expressed support for Ukraine, he previously stated that the ongoing war with Russia needed to “be brought to a conclusion.”
Rubio and Trump had a bitter rivalry during the 2016 Republican presidential race, clashing on a range of issues, especially immigration. The feud saw Trump mock Rubio as “little Marco,” while Rubio poked fun at Trump’s “small hands.” However, despite their contentious history, Rubio later endorsed Trump and campaigned for him ahead of the 2024 election. He was also considered as a potential running mate for Trump, though the role ultimately went to JD Vance, who shares similar views on China.
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