Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a frequent critic of President-elect Trump, praised the nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is expected to be the next Secretary of State.
“Marco Rubio is clearly changing. I think he once voted against aid to Ukraine, and I was very surprised when I found out that,” Kinzinger said on CNN's The Source on Monday night. He spoke at
“But he's by no means a neocon kind of guy. So obviously that was important to Donald Trump, but he's a guy who understands foreign policy and that's going to be important.” told host Caitlan Collins.
The former congressman, who was also one of the Republicans who voted for impeachment during President Trump's first term, added: I don't have any foreign policy experience, but I think this is a pretty good experience. ”
His remarks came hours after news broke about the president-elect's decision to elevate Rubio and other rumored allies to key Cabinet positions. The Florida senator is seen as a foreign policy hawk, primarily regarding Iran and China.
Kinzinger, who served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was “not sure” what Rubio's nomination would mean for the second Trump administration's foreign policy agenda.
“Again, I'm going to give you as much leeway as I can, but you know, Marco has shown the ability to make some kind of change, no matter what Donald Trump demands. So actually depends on what Donald Trump demands,” Kinzinger said. In an interview.
“When it comes to the Russia issue, we should take Donald Trump at his word that he thinks it can be resolved within 24 hours, and the vice president has said, 'I don't care what happens in Ukraine.' , I hope that in this process, if they're going to make a deal with Russia, they can actually make a pretty good deal,” he continued. “Whatever it is, it will ensure that Ukraine will be able to protect itself in the future.”
He also suggested that the next administration is likely to “relax constraints on Israel” and “confront Iran more aggressively.”
“When it comes to Israel, this continues to be a really complex issue. I'm sure that will happen, and the constraints on Israel from this administration will be eased,” the Illinois Republican said. “I don't think that's a question, and we'll probably be more aggressive in countering Iran.”
After defeating Vice President Harris in last week's presidential election, Trump quickly filled key positions on his national security team. The president-elect has nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Fla.) as ambassador to the United Nations and Rep. Mike Walz (R-Fla.) as national security adviser. It has also been floated that he may nominate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (Republican) to be Secretary of Homeland Security.
Rubio's resignation from the Senate will shrink the Republican majority in the Senate. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is expected to appoint a replacement for the seat.
