That didn’t last long. The afterglow of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory is slowly waning as the reality of actually “doing it” sets in, especially with regard to placing people into cabinet and other essential positions – most of which require Senate confirmation. Of course, Trump can name whoever he wants as applied to inner jobs such as White House Chief of Staff (Susie Wiles) and Deputy (Stephen Miller). But nominations to various agencies such as Homeland Security (Kristi Noem) and – much more importantly – the possibility of Marco Rubio at the State Department, are receiving the most attention. To that end, MAGA has a major problem with Rubio. The anger is already flowing in an attempt to stave off a possible formal announcement.
Ironically, Rubio is probably a pretty good choice. As one of the few Hispanic members of the United States Senate, Rubio has been singularly focused on relationships in the Caribbean – appropriate, as a Cuban American – as well as Central and South America. He is also fiercely opposed to Chinese aggression and had been a reliable anti-Putin voice in the GOP. His anti-communist background has earned him the reputation as a hawk in international affairs, perhaps “pro-active” is a better term. Again, there are far worse choices.
But Marco has yet to be formally nominated and some of the reddest of the red brigade are mightily opposed to the pick. As reported originally by Rawstory as well as other outlets:
Folks, word of wisdom. If Trump hasn’t confirmed it on Truth, don’t jump to conclusions and don’t believe everything you see.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 12, 2024
Apparently there hasn’t been a SOS pick yet FYSA.
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) November 12, 2024
And then there is Richard Grenell, Trump’s former Director of National Intelligence and one of his few ambassadors to the LGBTQ community, Grenell a guy backed by MAGA and seems to desperately want this job. He sure appears worried that the Rubio pick is done:
BS. Stop grifting. Not true.
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) November 12, 2024
Grifting what? Usually grifting means hauling in money for doing what is already someone’s job. Regardless, people close to Trump have noticed that Grenell most certainly wants the job and is upset that Rubio may have already been tapped. As Politico reports:
Yet as Grenell’s detractors saw him as self-serving, some top MAGA voices view him as a loyal ally pushing Trump’s America First agenda. They continued to hold out hope that he would be installed, even after almost every major news organization reported the former president’s plans to nominate Rubio.
Yes, well – Rubio doesn’t have such strong MAGA bona fides, indeed – he rubbed Donald Trump in about the worst way possible, the comment on hand size? Yet Rubio may soon be the administration’s most powerful cabinet secretary. The divisions are nearly inevitable as people and their posse jockey for power over the near future. But as stated above, until Trump himself officially makes the announcement anything can happen.
Regardless, Marco Rubio is qualified and his background in the Western Hemisphere is a major advancement. He would be the first Spanish-speaking cabinet secretary, a signal to the West as to Trump’s focus.
Even more importantly, Rubio is solidly aware of the threat posed by China. This country absolutely must unify over the treat of Chinese aggression, both militarily and with respect to technology. On that there shouldn’t be any disagreement. The Chinese government is as brutal as it is expansionist, representing a major threat to American interests, especially with regard to essential allies like Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. If the U.S. withdraws into isolation in the Pacific or even in cyberspace, the Chinese will be more than happy to fill that void.
It is probably worth hoping that Pres.-elect Trump does nominate Rubio. The in-fighting was always going to come around and it will only get worse as Trump continues to name people to posts. Rubio represents a nod toward prioritizing traditional American interests in foreign affairs. Rubio won’t be starting wars anyway. Trump himself would do well to put his foot down, say “This is my pick, shut-up!” and limit the time and effort spent in opposing it.
Whether it actually happens or not remains to be seen. It is a bad idea to squabble so much as to get on Trump’s bad side – look how long it took Marco to work his way out.
God Bless:Â I can be reached at [email protected] and @JasonMiciak
Yep – we’re in “Well, it could have been worse” territory if Trump does name Rubio. I’m not sure he’s up to the job. Once other world leaders take the measure of him I suspect they’ll think so too and Trump will wind up firing him but that’s down the road IF Trump follows through. I think part of the appeal with Rubio (for Trump) is that he’ll be submissive. Do (or try at least) what he’s told and more importantly not go trying to use the posting for his own Presidential run someday. Yes, Rubio has WH ambitions – once bitten by that bug the sting lasts forever. But Rubio never had and never will that quality that translates through TV screens (or in person) to masses of voters that he’s actually Presidential. Even with experience as a Senator AND a stint as SecState for a resume.
If Rubio gives the slightest, and I mean slightest indication he’s setting himself up for another Presidential run he’ll slap “Little Marco” down so hard he’ll need a doctor. (a real one – NOT Ronny Jackson) Funny thing is that if I’m right and Rubio winds up being ineffective with world leaders he’ll get tossed and he’ll be joining the likes of Scot Walker in “whatever happened to them” land. Kind of funny when I think about it. But as I said elsewhere this morning I take my enjoyment where I can find it.
To choose the best pissant,(to use Vonnegut’s description of a useless phuckhead), out of a group of pissants still leaves us with someone who supports the fascist overthrow of our 248 years of democracy BOUGHT BY BLOOD. Spin it but putting a spoonful of hispanic dog shit into a bucket of ice cream still makes it a bucket of shit. There is NO PHUCKING SILVER LINING. That’s the fact of where we are. It’s called denial of the shitstorm looming on the horizon. There is no good coming to America. Only lies, death, and chaos. It’s time to tell the truth. The time for spinning silk out of a sow’s ear died over a week ago. The five stages of grief starts with shock but quickly moves into denial and bargaining. There’s no deal with the devil where you don’t end up in hell. Oh that’s right you morons know everything about reality and supernatural evil is too scary to contemplate. Go back to sleep America while you die in a burning building YOU KNEW was on fire. As Led Zeppelin sang in When The Levee Breaks: crying won’t help you…praying won’t do you no good. Goodbye ms American Pie.
BUT after the pick many noted he did it to free up Florida Senate seat for Lara Trump.
NO they wont require Confirmation .. if Trump doesn’t want them too. THIS is NOT A DEMOCRACY any longer it is a Kakistocracy.
He can do anything he wants.