Rubio Leads State Dept and NSC in Trump Administration Shift/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Marco Rubio has taken on dual roles as Secretary of State and interim National Security Adviser, positioning him at the center of President Trump’s sweeping foreign policy revamp. Once a Trump critic, Rubio now fully embraces the “America First” agenda and oversees both diplomatic and security operations. His unprecedented dual role echoes Henry Kissinger’s Cold War-era tenure.
Rubio Assumes Dual National Security Roles Under Trump: Quick Looks
- Rubio appointed interim national security adviser, retains secretary of state role
- Becomes first since Henry Kissinger to hold both positions simultaneously
- Trump praises Rubio’s loyalty, says he “gets it solved”
- Rubio has restructured the State Department, cut staff, and overhauled foreign aid
- Critics raise concerns over workload and effectiveness of holding both posts
- Rubio yet to comment extensively on NSC appointment
- State Department officials reportedly surprised by dual role announcement
- Steve Witkoff continues as special envoy on Iran, Ukraine, and Israel talks
Deep Look: Rubio Takes on Powerful Dual Roles as Trump Reshapes U.S. Foreign Policy
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of his role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has now also been tapped to serve as interim National Security Adviser, President Donald Trump announced Thursday. The appointment places Rubio at the helm of both the State Department and National Security Council, a rare combination last seen under Henry Kissinger in the 1970s.
Rubio steps in to replace Mike Waltz, who is exiting following controversy over a leaked Signal chat involving military planning. His removal had been rumored for weeks.
“Marco Rubio, unbelievable,” Trump said during remarks, before officially announcing the decision on social media. “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.”
From Rival to Trusted Trump Insider
Rubio, once a fierce Trump critic and 2016 presidential rival dubbed “Little Marco,” has since become one of Trump’s most loyal Cabinet members. As Secretary of State, he has embraced the president’s “America First” vision, focusing on foreign policy initiatives that prioritize U.S. interests over global alliances or democracy promotion.
In his first 100 days as Secretary of State, Rubio has:
- Overseen a 15% staff reduction at the department
- Moved to dismantle USAID and consolidate over 100 foreign bureaus
- Revoked thousands of student visas
- Negotiated controversial immigration deals with third countries, such as El Salvador
- Supported cutting foreign aid and closing multiple overseas missions
This shift marks a significant departure from Rubio’s earlier political identity as a foreign policy hawk and pro-democracy advocate.
Rubio’s Expanded Power Raises Questions
Rubio is now tasked with overseeing both diplomatic efforts and interagency coordination on military and intelligence matters. The NSC role alone is demanding, with past advisers working 14-hour days, six or seven days a week, according to Brookings Institution’s Thomas Wright, a former Biden-era NSC official.
“It’s very hard to comprehend doing this job part time,” Wright said.
Rubio made light of the appointment during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity,” joking that he couldn’t become pope due to being married but made no substantive comments about his new role.
In a State Department blog post, Rubio praised Trump’s leadership, writing:
“I am proud of the work the Department of State has done over the past hundred days to implement his agenda and put the American people first.”
Agency Reactions and Cabinet Dynamics
According to officials speaking anonymously, State Department staff were surprised to learn of Rubio’s new role from reporters following Trump’s social media announcement. Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said she was informed of the move minutes before being asked about it during a press briefing.
Despite the surprise, aides say Rubio plans to continue his full diplomatic schedule and will likely delegate day-to-day NSC operations to trusted deputies. Some observers see the move as a sign of Rubio’s growing influence in a second Trump term that has emphasized personal loyalty and efficiency over traditional institutional roles.
“He’s not a chaos guy,” said Democrat Dan Gelber, a former Florida colleague. “And maybe that’s why he’s getting all these positions.”
Other Key Foreign Policy Figures
Rubio’s dual role places him alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and longtime Trump confidant, who is managing negotiations with Russia, Iran, and on the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine conflicts. Witkoff has reportedly declined the National Security Adviser role but remains influential in Trump’s global strategy, similar to Jared Kushner’s multi-portfolio role during Trump’s first term.
Rubio also serves as acting head of the National Archives and acting administrator of USAID, further highlighting his status as one of the administration’s most powerful figures.
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