Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is expected to be the secretary of state in President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration, according to sources for The New York Times.
Although Trump could still pick another candidate, it appears his choice for the position is Rubio, who Trump once considered to be his running mate.
Rubio has been in the Senate since he was elected in 2010.
He had exhibited a keen interest in foreign matters, including taking hard stances with China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.
He served as a co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China. The commission’s mission is designed to put forth aggressive policy on China, especially with human rights abuses.
Rubio sponsored a bill in 2020 that attempted to prohibit the import of Chinese products made with forced labor.
President Joe Biden signed it into law in 2021.
A spokesman for Rubio declined to comment; a spokesman Trump did not immediately respond to an inquiry on the matter.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) can temporarily appoint a replacement for Rubio. That person would serve in the Senate until the next scheduled general election.
