Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken on a new role as President Trump’s interim national security adviser, placing him closer to the “America First” circle. However, this position may not translate into actual influence over policy decisions.
Kori Schake, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, expressed doubts about Rubio’s impact, stating, “There is no significant influence on policy. It looks like Secretary Rubio will merely echo the president’s trends without altering them.”
While some supporters believe Rubio could help temper some of the president’s more extreme tendencies, critics argue he has sacrificed long-held foreign policy principles developed during his 16 years in the Senate for Trump’s favor.
Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, mentioned that having dual roles like this is uncommon in any administration. He remarked, “This arrangement seems to make the system even more dysfunctional, especially by adding a national security adviser to Rubio’s responsibilities.”
Despite being unanimously confirmed in the Senate, Rubio has reportedly begun to experience some regret. Some former colleagues have vocally supported controversial policies like student deportation, yet have been reticent about Trump’s approach to the war in Ukraine.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has criticized Rubio’s current alignment, mentioning that he seems more aligned with a select faction than serving the entire nation’s interests.
Rubio’s appointment comes after the ousting of Mike Waltz, who faced backlash after a mistake involving journalists and discussions about Yemen. Rubio is now tasked with overseeing many foreign policy experts in the White House.
A Republican aide noted that Rubio has a knack for handling interpersonal conflicts and is regarded favorably within the administration. “Everyone seems to like him, and he’s a team player,” the aide said. “Honestly, that’s beneficial—it keeps national security policies on a cohesive path.”
Schake added that she doesn’t believe Rubio will be overwhelmed by these dual responsibilities, even as he also oversees the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Archives, both of which are mostly inactive.
Interestingly, even with these prominent roles, various figures still influence the president’s foreign policy, including Vice President Vance and special envoys handling complex situations involving Russia, Israel-Hamas, and Iran.
Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, known for his immigration stance, has also shaped certain foreign policy aspects, alongside Sebastian Gorka from the National Security Council.
It was reported that Rubio could remain in this dual capacity for at least another six months. Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk’s influence on government operations continues, creating an unexpected dynamic in the administration.
Reflecting on their past rivalries, it’s striking that Trump now trusts Rubio in these significant roles. Once labeled “Little Marco” during the 2016 Republican primaries, Rubio had termed Trump a “con man.” Still, he’s now positioned as a staunch defender of the president in the Senate and has engaged in discussions concerning global conflicts.
Rubio is also managing considerable cuts at the State Department and USAID. However, the national security adviser’s role comes with new challenges, requiring coordination and consensus across various sectors, such as intelligence, defense, and law enforcement.
Historically, Henry Kissinger served simultaneously as national security adviser and secretary of state during Nixon and Ford’s terms, though others have noted that comparisons to him aren’t entirely valid. John Bolton, who had a brief tenure as national security adviser, recently emphasized Kissinger’s unique position in history.
Miller concluded by raising a critical question about the overall efficacy of advisers in the administration, regardless of who holds the dual roles. He emphasized that while loyalty is vital, it shouldn’t come at the expense of honest, crucial counsel.
