The cabinet of United States President Donald Trump has started to take shape, with its first nominee confirmed to a role: Florida lawmaker Marco Rubio.On Tuesday, Rubio, 53, was sworn in as secretary of state, the country’s chief diplomat and the highest-ranking role in the cabinet, second only to the vice president and president.
The ceremony came after a rare unanimous vote in the Senate to elevate him to the role.
All 99 members voted in favour: The only vote missing in the 100-seat chamber was Rubio himself, as he had to step down as senator to take up his new position.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Vice President JD Vance described Rubio as a “needed departure from a generation of failed foreign policy”.
“He is a bipartisan solutions-seeker, a guy who can actually get things done, but a conservative of great principle and vision,” Vance said. “And I think more than anybody that I’ve met in Washington over the last few years, Senator Rubio, I think, understands the distinctive priorities of President Trump.” Advertisement
But what has Rubio pledged to do in his new role? And what did Tuesday’s ceremony reveal about the newly minted diplomat? Here are three takeaways.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is sworn into office by Vice President JD Vance, as he places his hand on a bible held by his wife, Jeanette Rubi …
