President-elect Trump lining up Marco Rubio and Kristi Noem for top jobs
Nov 13, 2024
Washington [US], November 13: Two Florida lawmakers known for their tough stances towards China are in the running for senior foreign relations jobs in the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Senator Marco Rubio is expected to be his future secretary of state, sources told the BBC's US partner, CBS News. But the pick is not yet confirmed. Military veteran Michael Waltz is the favourite for Trump's national security adviser, CBS adds.
According to the same network, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem could also play a significant role in Trump's government - as homeland security secretary.
Rubio and Waltz's offices have not responded to the BBC's request for comment.
Trump's administration is starting to take shape after his win in last week's presidential election.
His Republican Party is closing in on full control of Congress. They have won back control of the Senate, the upper chamber, and they are inching towards a majority in the House, the lower chamber, as vote-counting continues.
Some of the appointments - including secretary of state - will require senators' approval, although Trump has demanded that the next Senate leader let him bypass this. He can give out other jobs - like national security adviser - directly.
The reported roles for Rubio, Waltz and Noem come after Trump made Susie Wiles his chief of staff, named former immigration official Tom Homan as his "border tsar" and nominated New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as his future ambassador to the United Nations.
A president-elect has responsibility for about 4,000 political appointments. During his first presidency, it took Trump months to assemble his cabinet.
It is not yet certain that Rubio, 53, will be nominated to serve as secretary of state - a role that functions as America's top diplomat - but the Florida Republican's career has set him up to take the role.
Several US media outlets have reported that Rubio is in talks with the Trump transition team over the senior position, but it has not been finalised. It appears the president-elect could still change his mind. Rubio serves as the vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and sits on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Source: Qatar Tribune
