According to sources close to the tycoon, Trump has decided to ask Rubio to be secretary of state. The indiscretion comes a few hours after rumors about the appointment of Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor. Who are the two Trump loyalists and what does this mean for US foreign policy
US President-elect Donald Trump he is expected to be named in the coming days Senator Marco Rubio Secretary of State. Broadcaster NBC News mentioned this, addressing the indiscretion published mainly by the New York Times newspaper and citing three sources with knowledge of the matter.
NBC emphasized that the decision is not final until the formal announcement and that the tycoon could still change his mind.
According to news from the Reuters agency, CNN and the Wall Street Journal, Trump has also decided to nominate Florida Congressman Mike Waltz National Security Advisor. Waltz was re-elected a week ago to the US House representing east-central Florida.
He will take over Jake Sullivan’s position in the Biden administration. Both potential appointments show the first signs of it a sudden change in US foreign policy, especially towards China. Indeed, many fear that Washington will further deteriorate relations with Beijing and revise its stance on Russia, the Middle East and Iran.
Who is Marco Rubio: China sanctions, stand on Ukraine
Also being considered by the tycoon for the vice presidency, which later went to JD Vance, Rubio, 53, a Cuban-American born in Miami, will lead Antony Blinken.
The senator played an important role in Trump’s campaign to win him the favor of the Latino community, despite calling the tycoon a “crook” and the “worst person to ever seek the presidency”.
Rubio has been under sanctions from Beijing since 2020, when he campaigned in favor of Hong Kong independence in collaboration with Republican Senator Ted Cruz. The republican cannot enter China like that and this could be a problem if elected US diplomatic chief.
Rubio was also among the 15 Republicans voted against the 95 billion aid package for Ukrainesaying that Kiev should focus on an agreement with Russia rather than reconquering the invaded territories.
During the 2016 election campaign, Rubio has received a million dollars from the National Rifle Association (NRA), the US gun lobby, and a total of 3.3 million during his career.
Although he said he was in favor of raising the age to buy a rifle (from 18 to 21), after massacre 2018 Parkland High School arguing that stricter gun control laws could not have stopped the 19-year-old shooter from picking up a gun and opening fire on his fellow students and teachers.
Rubio flatly refused to entertain the idea of banning semi-automatic rifles and assault weapons altogether and emphasized that he will continue to take the NRA’s money.
Facing boos from the crowd, Rubio tried to tone down his stance, claiming he wanted to take things into account. the ability to limit the size of magazines for firearmsleaving the police to decide. “It might not prevent an attack, but it could save lives in the event of an attack,” he said at the time, prompting outrage from the victims’ families.
ADVERTISINGMike Waltz: who is the Trump loyalist and NATO critic?
The role of national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key issues in this area and coordinating with multiple agencies.
Waltz, 50, a former Afghanistan military veteran and Trump loyalist, is also considered hard liner towards Beijing. In addition to calling for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he sharply criticized China’s activity in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasized the need for the United States to be prepared to deal with potential conflict in the region.
However, the representative is also a critic of NATO and with this basis he will be managing the war in Ukraine, which will raise many fears of a cut in US military aid. If in 2022 he encouraged President Joe Biden to supply more weapons to Kiev, recently he said that US objectives in Ukraine need to be reassessed.
Unlike Trump, Waltz has never supported Washington’s withdrawal from the Atlantic Alliance.
ADVERTISINGIn 2020 he was among the 126 Republicans who signed the appeal to the US Supreme Court against Biden’s victory.
Interviewer: Good day, and welcome to this episode of Time.news where we delve into pressing political matters. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Emily Fischer, a political analyst and expert on U.S. foreign policy. Welcome, Dr. Fischer.
Dr. Fischer: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: We’ve recently come across some interesting developments regarding former President Trump’s potential appointments for his new administration. First on the list is Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State. What’s your take on this prospect?
Dr. Fischer: It certainly raises some eyebrows. Rubio has a complex history with Trump, having both supported and criticized him in the past. His appointment would likely signal a shift towards a more hardline foreign policy, particularly concerning China and Russia.
Interviewer: That’s quite a strong statement. With Rubio’s history of sanctions against China and his role in the Ukrainian conflict as a Republican who voted against aid, how might this influence U.S. relations with those regions?
Dr. Fischer: Rubio’s sanctions against China stem from his efforts to support Hong Kong’s independence and reflect a stance that could strain diplomatic relations further. His reluctance to support extensive military aid to Ukraine may suggest a pivot towards diplomacy, yet his earlier criticisms of Russia could make for a complicated approach. His stance might create a more aggressive U.S. posture internationally.
Interviewer: Interesting. Additionally, Trump is also considering Florida Congressman Mike Waltz for National Security Advisor. What do we know about Waltz that could impact U.S. foreign policy?
Dr. Fischer: Waltz is a seasoned military professional, which might indicate a shift towards a more defense-focused approach in national security. His recent re-election signals a confidence in his policies and could translate to a foreign policy reminiscent of Trump’s earlier administration—prioritizing military strength and strong support for allies like Israel, while maintaining a wary eye on adversaries like China.
Interviewer: So you’re saying that these appointments could lead to a significant shift in foreign policy?
Dr. Fischer: Absolutely. If confirmed, both appointments would likely propel U.S. foreign policy into a more confrontational stance, particularly towards Beijing. Additionally, we might see a reevaluation of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, especially in dealing with Russia.
Interviewer: Given these potential changes, how do you think it will affect overall public sentiment towards Trump’s administration, especially considering Rubio’s controversial positions on issues like gun control and military aid?
Dr. Fischer: That’s a critical question. Rubio’s mixed record on gun control and foreign aid could polarize opinions, especially among voters who are more liberal or progressive. He has faced backlash for prioritizing NRA funding while navigating tragic events like the Parkland shooting. In light of prevalent social issues, his policies might not resonate well with a large segment of the population.
Interviewer: It’s going to be fascinating to see how this unfolds. What should we be monitoring in the coming weeks in relation to these appointments?
Dr. Fischer: Definitely watch for formal announcements and any cabinet confirmation hearings. It will be telling how these potential advisors position themselves on key foreign policy issues that emerge in the international arena following their appointment. Public reactions during these hearings can also greatly influence their acceptance and overarching strategies.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Dr. Fischer, for your insights. It seems like we’re heading into a pivotal time in U.S. foreign policy, and your analysis helps illuminate the stakes.
Dr. Fischer: Thank you! I enjoyed our discussion.
Interviewer: And thank you to our audience for tuning in to Time.news. Stay informed as we continue to follow these developments.