Marco Rubio

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

South Africa Crowds Cheer Envoy Expelled by US

Rubio had said Ebrahim Rasool hates Trump

(Newser) - The South African ambassador who was expelled from the US and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was given a hero's welcome on his return home Sunday, when hundreds of supporters gathered at an airport and sang songs praising him. The crowds at Cape Town International Airport...

Rubio: Ambassador Who Criticized Trump Is Out

Post says South African envoy 'hates America and hates @POTUS'

(Newser) - The US has expelled South Africa's ambassador, described by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a Friday post on X as "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS." South Africa's presidential office on Saturday called the decision "regrettable," the BBC reports, and...

It's a Busy Day on the Ukraine War
It's a Busy Day
for the Ukraine War
Mar 11, 2025 7:11 AM CDT

It's a Busy Day for the Ukraine War

Kyiv launches biggest drone attack yet on Moscow ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia

(Newser) - Tuesday already has brought big developments in the Russia-Ukraine war—the two nations traded heavy drone attacks as Ukraine and US officials were meeting in Saudi Arabia. Details:
  • Biggest yet: Ukraine launched its biggest drone attack of the war on Moscow, with the Russian defense ministry saying it shot down
...

Rubio Says US Aid to Ukraine Could Resume Soon

Secretary of state is in Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukrainian officals

(Newser) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio says American military and intelligence support for Ukraine could resume if t alks on Tuesday go well. The suspension of aid "came about because we felt the Ukrainians were not committed" to talks on ending the conflict, but "if that changes, obviously our...

Musk, Rubio Had Volatile Exchange in Trump Meeting
Musk, Rubio Had Volatile
Exchange in Trump Meeting
the rundown
Mar 7, 2025 1:15 PM CST

Musk, Rubio Had Volatile Exchange in Trump Meeting

Multiple Cabinet members vented, according to the New York Times

(Newser) - President Trump made a surprise move on Thursday by reining in Elon Musk during a last-minute Cabinet meeting. The upshot is that Trump informed his secretaries that they, and not Musk, would be in charge of cuts within their departments going forward. So just what happened at the meeting? The...

Rubio: We See 'Incredible Opportunities' With Russia

Secretary of state has high-level talks with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia

(Newser) - Russia and the US agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, America's top diplomat said after talks that reflected an extraordinary about-face in US foreign policy under President Trump. In an interview with the AP , Secretary of State...

Rubio Backs Israel's War Goals
Netanyahu Moving Forward
With Trump's Gaza Plan
UPDATED
Feb 17, 2025 1:30 AM CST

Netanyahu Moving Forward With Trump's Gaza Plan

Comments come during Rubio's visit to Jerusalem

(Newser) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday signaled that he was moving ahead with US President Trump's proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza, calling it "the only viable plan to enable a different future" for the region, the AP reports. Netanyahu discussed the plan with...

Rubio Plans to Take USAID From 10K Positions to 290

A few programs are spared for now, though employees say they can't get to funding

(Newser) - The Trump administration told the remaining senior officials of the US Agency for International Development on Thursday that all but 290 of its more than 10,000 positions will be cut. The employees who are left would administer the few life-saving programs that the administration said will remain in place...

Rubio Snubs G20, Piles on South Africa

Top diplomat echoes Trump attacks, says he won't attend meeting over 'anti-Americanism'

(Newser) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio is refusing to attend this month's G20 meeting in South Africa, days after President Trump accused the country of "confiscating land" from white farmers. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa disputed the allegations, noting no private property has been expropriated (we have an explainer...

N. Korea Issues First Criticism of Trump Administration

Pyongyang calls Rubio remarks 'coarse and nonsensical'

(Newser) - In its first direct criticism of the Trump administration, North Korea lashed out at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a "rogue" state and warned Monday that such "coarse and nonsensical remarks" will never contribute to US interests. The statement is the latest in a...

Rubio: I'm Now the Acting Director of USAID

Democrats say Congress needs to approve any attempt to fold agency into State Department

(Newser) - Hours after Elon Musk boasted about throwing USAID "into the wood chipper" over the weekend. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was in charge of the foreign aid agency. Rubio, speaking to reporters in El Salvador, said he is now the acting administrator of USAID but he has...

On His First Trip, Rubio Pressures Panama on Canal

Nation's president says he sees no threat of force

(Newser) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday that the Central American ally must immediately reduce Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area or face potential retaliation from the Trump administration. Mulino said later that "there is no real threat of retaking the...

US Email Asks Nonprofits to Halt Clearing Land Mines

Decision follows from new Trump policy, official says in thanking the organizations for their work

(Newser) - The State Department on Saturday asked humanitarian organizations it funds around the world to stop clearing unexploded mines "effective immediately." Karen Chandler, who runs the department's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, said in an email to the nonprofits that the action is in keeping with President...

China Warns Marco Rubio to Behave Himself
China Warns Rubio
to Behave Himself
Jan 25, 2025 9:31 AM CST

China Warns Rubio to Behave Himself

The new secretary of state was told to 'act accordingly' in China relations

(Newser) - China's veteran foreign minister has issued a veiled warning to America's new secretary of state: Behave yourself. The AP reports that Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed the message in a phone call Friday, their first conversation since Marco Rubio's confirmation as President Trump's top diplomat four...

State Department Freezes Foreign Aid Spending

Order seems to go beyond Trump's and include Ukraine assistance

(Newser) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a "stop-work" order on Friday affecting all existing foreign assistance and all new aid, an action that appeared to go further than President Trump's executive order issued this week and stunned the State Department's staff. The only exceptions are for emergency...

Rubio Heading to Panama for First Trip
Rubio's First Trip? Panama
Jan 24, 2025 1:00 AM CST

Rubio's First Trip? Panama

Newly minted secretary of state has previously said canal 'security' needs to be dealt with

(Newser) - Newly minted Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be heading to Panama during his first trip as head of the Trump administration's State Department. President Trump, of course, has spoken at length about his desire to retake the Panama Canal , and Rubio mentioned the key trade route during his...

Senate Confirms Rubio for Secretary of State
Senate Confirms Rubio, 99-0
Jan 20, 2025 6:51 PM CST

Senate Confirms Rubio, 99-0

Secretary of State pick becomes first Trump Cabinet secretary to be approved

(Newser) - Marco Rubio, who had faced less opposition than several other Cabinet nominees, was confirmed Monday evening by the Senate to be secretary of state. The vote was 99-0 to approve Rubio, a longtime Florida senator who became the first pick by President Trump to be confirmed and the 72nd person...

DeSantis Names Marco Rubio's Successor in the Senate
DeSantis Names
Florida's Next Senator
Jan 16, 2025 10:10 AM CST

DeSantis Names Florida's Next Senator

She's state Attorney General Ashley Moody

(Newser) - Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will take Marco Rubio's seat in the US Senate, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday, making Moody only the second woman to represent Florida in the chamber. Elected as the state's top law-enforcement officer in 2018, Moody campaigned on a pledge to voters that...

Rubio Talks China, Ukraine at Friendly Confirmation Hearing

He calls China 'biggest threat' to US prosperity

(Newser) - Sen. Marco Rubio, a longtime member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, appeared before the panel for a confirmation hearing Wednesday that was a lot friendlier than hearings for some of President-elect Trump's other nominees. The warm welcome Rubio received from both sides of the aisle suggests he will...

It's a Busy Day for the Senate
It's a Busy Day for the Senate
the rundown
Jan 15, 2025 8:10 AM CST

It's a Busy Day for the Senate

Pam Bondi, Marco Rubio among a half-dozen Cabinet picks slated to appear

(Newser) - Wednesday is set to be a busy day in the Senate, with six confirmation hearings scheduled for President-elect Trump's Cabinet picks. The headline appearances will be Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi for US attorney general. The Washington Post reports the...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>
Most Read on Newser