Vice President JD Vance officially swore in Marco Rubio as the United States Secretary of State on January 21, 2025. The ceremony took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., with Rubio's family and colleagues present.
Vice President Vance expressed his admiration for Rubio, stating, "Marco is one of my favorite people in Washington." He praised Rubio's journey from humble beginnings as a son of Cuban immigrants to becoming a significant figure in U.S. politics. Vance emphasized Rubio's bipartisan approach and understanding of President Trump's foreign policy priorities, which he described as a necessary shift from previous policies.
Rubio thanked his wife Jeanette and their children for their support, acknowledging the importance of family in his career. He also expressed gratitude to Senator Jim Risch for his role in the confirmation process.
During his remarks, Rubio highlighted President Trump's commitment to prioritizing U.S. interests in foreign policy. He stated that every action by the Department of State would be evaluated based on whether it makes the country stronger, safer, or more prosperous. "If it doesn’t do one of those three things, we will not do it," he asserted.
Rubio also mentioned the administration's focus on promoting peace through strength while maintaining American values. He concluded by expressing gratitude to God and President Trump for the opportunity to serve as Secretary of State.
The event was marked by light-hearted moments, including a joke made by Rubio about saving money by switching to GEICO when speaking briefly in Spanish.