Secretary of State Marco Rubio has used military aircraft for more than two dozen flights to Gainesville, Florida, over the past two seasons, with at least 10 trips coinciding with University of Florida football games, a Washington Post investigation revealed.
The newspaper calculated that these flights alone cost taxpayers more than $1.2 million based on published defense department hourly rates for military aircraft. Rubio’s son, Anthony, serves as a walk-on running back for the Gators. According to ESPN statistics, Anthony Rubio has appeared in only four competitive games during his four years at the university and has recorded 14 career carries for 75 yards and one touchdown. The secretary of state attended at least five games during the current season, including a November 7 game in which his son did not play and the Gators lost 23-7 to Oklahoma.
Rubio defended his travel in a statement, saying he attempts to attend events important to him and his family. Officials who use military transport are required to reimburse the government an amount equivalent to a commercial economy airfare, though Rubio and the State Department declined to disclose how much reimbursement has been made. A State Department official stated that Rubio will reimburse the government for all personal travel and noted that cabinet members in Rubio’s position are required to use military aircraft to maintain secure communications and comply with continuity of government protocols.
Ethics watchdog groups have scrutinized the frequency of Rubio’s travel. Cynthia Brown, senior ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the Post that while Rubio’s conduct may not be technically improper, it raises optics concerns and warrants examination regarding stewardship of taxpayer funds. Reports indicate that Antony Blinken, the previous secretary of state under President Biden, took personal trips on government aircraft only a couple of times annually. A State Department official countered that comparisons to other officials are inappropriate, noting that Rubio’s position requires mandatory use of military aircraft, unlike some other government roles.
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