President-elect Donald Trump will reportedly ask one of his 2016 presidential primary rivals to fill one of the most important Cabinet posts.
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, is his choice for secretary of state, multiple news agencies reported Monday evening.
Sources have cautioned that “Mr. Trump could still change his mind at the last minute,” as his former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell has also been under consideration.
But, the sources said, Mr. Trump “appeared to have settled on” the Cuban-American senator, who also was among his top choices to be his vice presidential running mate before Mr. Trump picked Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
If Mr. Rubio was selected, it would make him the nation’s first Hispanic secretary of state. He is the son of Cuban immigrants.
He has served in the U.S. Senate for 13 years. Mr. Trump and Mr. Rubio spared during the 2016 election, trading verbal jabs. However, Mr. Rubio has been supportive of Mr. Trump’s agenda.
He’s viewed as a hawk on China, having served on the Foreign Affairs committee. He has been critical of Russia and is a supporter of Israel.
A spokesperson for Mr. Rubio and a spokesperson from Mr. Trump’s team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
• Alex Swoyer contributed to this report.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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