Marco Rubio was sworn in as Secretary of State at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. The ceremony took place on January 21, 2025, with Vice President Vance administering the oath.
Vice President Vance began the event by welcoming Rubio's family and acknowledging Rubio's background as a son of Cuban immigrants. He praised Rubio for his bipartisan approach and understanding of President Trump's foreign policy priorities. "Senator Rubio will be the chief diplomat of the United States of America," said Vance.
Vance also thanked President Trump for nominating Rubio and noted the smooth confirmation process led by Senator Jim Risch. "99 to zero, right?" he remarked, highlighting the unanimous support for Rubio's appointment.
After taking the oath, Secretary Rubio expressed gratitude to his wife Jeanette and their four children for their support. He acknowledged Senator Risch as a close friend and thanked him for his role in managing the committee that facilitated his confirmation.
Rubio emphasized President Trump's commitment to keeping promises, particularly regarding foreign policy. He stated that all actions by the Department of State would focus on strengthening, securing, and prospering the United States. "If it doesn’t do one of those three things, we will not do it," he asserted.
Rubio also mentioned that promoting peace is a primary goal under Trump's administration. He concluded his remarks by thanking God and expressing readiness to work towards achieving Trump's agenda.