The Republican senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, is emerging as a leading candidate for Secretary of State in Donald Trump's upcoming administration. Known for his significant role in shaping U.S. policy toward Latin America during Trump’s first term, Rubio wielded considerable influence on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
This year, Rubio was also in the spotlight as a potential vice-presidential pick for the Republican campaign. According to the Efe news agency, other names being floated for the top U.S. diplomatic position include Rick Grenell, the former Director of National Intelligence and a close Trump ally who served as Ambassador to Germany from 2018 to 2020.
Additionally, Senator Bill Hagerty, who previously served as Ambassador to Japan, is reportedly being considered, as noted by Politico. For the Treasury Secretary role, potential candidates include billionaire investor John Paulson, known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, and Trump's current economic advisor, Scott Bessent.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton is a possible choice for Secretary of Defense, while Robert Kennedy Jr., recognized for his anti-vaccine stance, might be tapped for a position related to health or food and drug regulation.
Prominent figures like entrepreneur Elon Musk and media personality Tucker Carlson were seen with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday, fueling speculation about their potential influence on initial policy decisions and cabinet appointments. The Republican majority in the Senate suggests that the confirmation of these appointments would likely proceed without significant hurdles.
According to reports from The Washington Post and Politico on Thursday, Trump's campaign is already transitioning into the next phase following last Tuesday's elections, in which he secured a second term set to officially commence on January 20.