(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
President-elect Donald Trump officially introduced Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) as his nominee to serve as the next secretary of state on Wednesday, calling him “a very powerful Voice for Freedom.”
“It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State,” wrote Trump in a statement on Wednesday. “Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom. He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down from our adversaries. I look forward to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Safe and Great Again!”
The New York Times first reported that Rubio would likely be announced as Trump’s pick on Monday night, but noted that Trump could still change his mind.
That report produced some outcry from the isolationist faction around Trump because of Rubio’s hawkish worldview.
Trump’s selection of Rubio closes the book on their feud during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, which saw Trump call the Florida senator “Liddle Marco” and Rubio joke about the size of Trump’s genitalia.
Rubio’s selection to the critical position has been praised by many, including some of Trump’s political opponents, because of his relatively extensive foreign policy credentials.
