Official U.S. State Department statements or credible news analysis

Marco Rubio Unanimously Confirmed as First Latino Secretary of State, Vows 'Peace Through Strength'

Jan 21, 2025, 04:20 PM

Marco Rubio was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate with a 99-0 vote as the 72nd Secretary of State, becoming the first Latino to hold the position. He was sworn in by Vice President JD Vance on January 21, 2025. Rubio, a former senator from Florida, emphasized that U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump will prioritize American interests and promote 'peace through strength.' In his remarks to State Department employees, he stated that the department's mission would focus on the advancement of national interests, ensuring that policies make the country stronger, safer, or more prosperous. He added that foreign policy would be 'practical and realistic.' On his first day, Rubio hosted a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers from Australia, India, and Japan, and held his first bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.