Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet

In a unanimous vote, the Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, making him the first member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. The confirmation came on Monday night, just hours after Trump’s inauguration.

Rubio, a Florida Republican, was nominated by Trump in December to serve as the nation’s top diplomat. He has been a key player in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly with regards to Latin America and the Caribbean.

The confirmation process was relatively smooth, with Rubio receiving bipartisan support from his colleagues in the Senate. During his confirmation hearing, Rubio faced tough questions from both Republicans and Democrats, but he was widely praised for his knowledge and expertise in foreign affairs.

In a statement after his confirmation, Rubio expressed his gratitude to the Senate for their support. “I am honored and humbled by the trust that my colleagues have placed in me,” he said. “I look forward to working with President Trump and the entire Cabinet to promote American interests and values around the world.”

Rubio’s confirmation is a significant victory for Trump, who has faced opposition from Democrats and some Republicans on many of his cabinet nominations. The Senate has been slow to confirm many of Trump’s picks, with several nominees facing tough questions and opposition from lawmakers.

But Rubio’s confirmation is a sign that the Senate is willing to work with Trump on key issues, particularly when it comes to foreign policy. Rubio has been a vocal critic of some of Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on Cuba and his plans for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

However, Rubio has also been a strong supporter of Trump’s efforts to combat terrorism and promote American interests abroad. During his confirmation hearing, he emphasized the need for a strong and active U.S. foreign policy, particularly in light of growing threats from countries like China, Russia, and North Korea.

Rubio’s confirmation is also significant because it marks a shift in the balance of power in the Senate. With Rubio’s departure, Republicans will have one fewer vote in the upper chamber, giving Democrats more leverage to block Trump’s legislative agenda.

But despite this setback, Republicans are confident that they can still work with Trump to achieve their goals. “We look forward to continuing to work with President Trump and our colleagues in Congress to advance the interests of the American people,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

In a statement, Trump praised Rubio’s confirmation, saying that he was “thrilled” to have him as part of his team. “Marco is a unifying force who will bring people together to address the challenges facing our nation,” he said.

With Rubio’s confirmation, Trump has now filled one of the most important roles in his administration. The secretary of state is responsible for advancing U.S. interests abroad and advising the president on foreign policy matters.

Rubio’s confirmation is a significant step forward for Trump, who has faced numerous setbacks and controversies during his first weeks in office. It remains to be seen how Rubio will perform in his new role, but for now, he has the full support of the Senate and the president.