A Democratic senator who has developed a reputation for being somewhat of a maverick, much to the chagrin of his party, has spoken out in favor of a Senate colleague whose name is being floated for President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has praised Rubio, R-Fla., who is expected to be appointed by Trump, calling him a “strong choice” for the cabinet-level role. “Unsurprisingly, the other team’s pick will have political differences than my own,” Fetterman wrote in a post on X. “That being said, my colleague @SenMarcoRubio is a strong choice and I look forward to voting for his confirmation.”
Unsurprisingly, the other team’s pick will have political differences than my own.
That being said, my colleague @SenMarcoRubio is a strong choice and I look forward to voting for his confirmation. pic.twitter.com/OUIDx5KK4J
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 12, 2024
If Rubio accepts the position next year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will have the authority to appoint a temporary replacement to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat until a special election is held. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., has called Rubio “an outstanding choice.” He added in his tweet: “Senator Rubio has a proven record of promoting freedom, defending American interests on the global stage, and standing firm against threats from the CCP. His leadership will be invaluable in advancing our nation’s values and priorities abroad.” Rep. Carlos Giménez, R-Fla., said in a statement that “President Trump has made a truly historic and brilliant choice in selecting Senator Marco Rubio as our nation’s Secretary of State.”
Trump has reportedly offered the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to a close ally in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to a CNN report. CNN stated late Sunday that Trump extended the offer to U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), citing two sources familiar with the situation. The reported offer follows earlier reports that Trump had been considering Stefanik for the role.
Stefanik, the fourth-highest ranking member of the House, has become a key ally of the president-elect. She was one of the first to endorse his presidential comeback campaign and was once seen as a leading contender for the vice presidency. She has also since confirmed that Trump tapped her to represent the U.S. at the UN, and he has done so as well.
“I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” Stefanik told the New York Post. “During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate. President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead — both at home and abroad.”
Reelected to her sixth term in the House last week, Stefanik made national headlines by questioning Ivy League university presidents over the surge in antisemitism on college campuses following the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel. “The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries,” Stefanik added in her statement to the Post. “I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength, leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations.”
