Vote, which came just hours after Trump's swearing-in ceremony, was unanimous at 99-0
The US Senate voted to confirm Marco Rubio as Secretary of State on Monday, making him the first official in Donald Trump's administration to be approved on his presidential inauguration day.
The vote, which came just hours after Trump's swearing-in ceremony, was unanimous at 99-0.
Rubio will assume the role amid multiple global crises and conflicts, including Russia's war against Ukraine as well as ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon involving Israel.
Rubio, 53, first elected to the Senate in 2010, is known for his hardline stance on Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and China.
Recently, however, he has aligned more closely with Trump's foreign policy, expressing support for his calls for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, which he said has reached a “stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion.”
Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel, has consistently adopted hardline positions. Earlier this year, he accused President Joe Biden of appealing to “antisemites” in the Democratic Party by criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and urged the administration to revoke visas for foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, labeling them as "terrorist sympathizers."
Last November, when confronted by a group of activists in Congress, Rubio opposed calls for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, describing the Palestinian group as “vicious animals” and saying: “I want (Israel) to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on.”
Rubio also led efforts to ban TikTok, arguing that it spreads “pro-Hamas, anti-Israel propaganda” and poses an “existential threat to our nation.”
Following an Iranian missile attack on Israel in October, he encouraged a strong Israeli response.
"I urge the reimposition of a maximum pressure campaign against Iran and fully support Israel's right to respond disproportionately to stop this threat," he said.
