Marco Rubio has been confirmed as the new U.S. Secretary of State, following a unanimous 99-0 vote by the Senate. This historic confirmation took place shortly after President Trump assumed office on January 20. Rubio, originally from Miami, becomes the highest-ranking Hispanic American official in U.S. history.
Rubio attributes his success to his parents' decision to immigrate from Cuba to the United States in 1956, stating that it allowed him "the privilege to be born a citizen of the greatest nation in the history of the world." His father worked as a banquet bartender and his mother as a hotel maid and stay-at-home mother.
During his confirmation hearing on January 15 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio emphasized his commitment to prioritizing America's core national interests. "Under President Trump, the top priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States," he declared. He further outlined that foreign policy decisions would be guided by whether they make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.
Before this appointment, Rubio was serving his third term in the U.S. Senate representing Florida since 2011. He has been an influential figure in U.S. foreign policy as a senior member of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Throughout his career, Rubio has traveled extensively and engaged with numerous foreign leaders to advance U.S. interests abroad.
Rubio co-authored significant bipartisan legislation regarding China and has actively worked to hold its government accountable for human rights violations against Uyghurs and actions in Hong Kong. Additionally, he played a key role in shaping U.S. policy toward Latin America through legislative measures against human rights abusers in Venezuela and sanctions on Cuban regime members.
He also led efforts for bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom over several years.
Prior to serving as a senator, Rubio held positions as a city commissioner in West Miami and speaker of Florida's House of Representatives. He holds degrees from both the University of Florida and University of Miami School of Law. Rubio resides with his wife Jeanette and their four children.