Rubio rises: Set to shape US foreign policy with dual role
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to replace Mike Waltz as the President's National Security Advisor, reports Politico. Rubio is expected to permanently hold both positions, a rare occurrence that has happened only once before.
Marco Rubio's promotion is linked to President Trump's decision. On Thursday, the U.S. President announced that Mike Waltz, who previously served as the National Security Advisor, would become the United States Ambassador to the UN.
According to Politico, preliminary arrangements suggest that Rubio would hold the positions of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor for at least six months. However, some sources in the White House claim Trump would prefer this to be a permanent solution rather than a temporary one.
Rubio did not actively seek such a promotion. However, Donald Trump and his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, encouraged him to take "more fulsome control" over the foreign policy apparatus.
— He’s just a quintessential team player that is willing to accept whatever task is necessary to deliver for the president – including the hard or risky ones — said one high-ranking White House official.
Trump's powerful man: Rubio to take on a new role
According to Politico's informants, Rubio's task in the new role is to "reorient" the American National Security Council so that it fully reflects the President's vision.
The Secretary of State is said to be perfectly suited for this role because "he understands process and foreign policy, and works well with the team – which is a big deal."
Additionally, Rubio has a reputation for being highly loyal, which Trump's associates see as "one of his biggest assets." Politico notes that after becoming Secretary of State, Rubio changed his stance on many issues. He previously advocated for supporting Ukraine and was skeptical about the concept of mass deportations of illegal migrants. Currently, he fully aligns with Trump's views on both of these issues.
Trump appreciated Rubio: He wants him to be like Kissinger
So far, the only person to hold both the roles of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor was Henry Kissinger. This dual role was assigned to him by President Richard Nixon, who governed in the late 60s and early 70s.
Politico reminds us that this is one reason why Kissinger is considered one of the most powerful presidential advisors in U.S. history.
Source: Politico
