Tapped as acting director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) a few days ago, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is taking on another new role in President Donald Trump's new administration.
Rubio is currently acting as the acting director of the US archives, ABC News reported, citing high-level officials. Fox News Digital did not immediately respond to the State Department's request for comment.
Last month, Trump signaled his intention to replace current national architect Colleen Shogan, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, in a brief telephone interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt. The National Archives notified the Department of Justice in early 2022 over documents that Trump allegedly had with him at Marlago Real Estate in Florida after he took office. It later led to an FBI attack, where Trump was charged by former special adviser Jack Smith.
Sources told ABC News that Rubio was an acting archivist since shortly after Trump was sworn in as the 47th president last month.
USAID claims to be a Top Doux Republican member in a letter to Rubio, “I am demonstrating the obstructive pattern.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will speak after a tour of the Immigration Return Centre and a demonstration of dogs trained to smell drugs at Guatemala's Lao Rola International Airport on February 5, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
This week, Rubio was on his first official State Department trip to Central America, during which he convinced the Panama president to end the Belt and Road project deal with the Chinese government. After raising concerns about Beijing, which allegedly manages strategic waterways built by the US, Trump said he could argue the Panama Canal through economic or military measures if necessary.
The Trump administration suspended foreign aid, waiting for a review of how US taxpayer dollars are being used overseas, resulting in thousands of layoffs and termination programs.
While addressing a reporter in Guatemala on Wednesday, Rubio issued exemptions to certain programs that help collect biometric information to better identify fugitives, and lethal fentanyl and precursors It said it issued exemptions to enhance technology and K-9 units to identify chemical shipments. It's like foreign aid that America wants to be involved in. ”
“This is an example of foreign aid in our national interest. So I issued a waiver of these programs. So, these programs are back online and that's how it is shown to Americans. , they work. People say, this is a kind of diplomatic compensation in line with our foreign policy, along with our national interests,” Rubio said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was welcomed by Guatemala Foreign Minister Carlos Lamilo Martinez, located on February 4, 2025 at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala. (Johan Ordonez/AFP via Getty Images)
“VIPER'S NEST”: USAID accused of corruption, Trump administrator's management mistakes long before
The top American diplomat said the US wanted “a strategic goal, a fugitive that means they will help strengthen our partners, and they would say that we are particularly dangerous multinational groups. “We'll help you cut your head from the snake.” He said the State Department is “working very closely” with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy and the Department of Justice.
The State Department announced Wednesday that the “Panamanian government has agreed not to charge US government vessels to pass the Panama Canal and “save the US government millions of dollars a year.” .
However, the Panama Canal Bureau refused to adjust the canal toll or passing agreement despite the State Department's announcement and “is ready to establish a dialogue with relevant US authorities regarding warship traffic.” And added. “Early this week, Rubio said he was frustrated about a US naval vessel that must pay to pass the canal despite having a treaty contract to protect the canal in the event that the US is attacked. It has been announced.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo at the Palace of Culture in Guatemala on February 5th, 2025. (Johan Ordonez/AFP via Getty Images)
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a breath of fresh air and he has proven to be extremely effective in implementing President Trump's peace through his vision of strength for the world,” he said in South Florida. Rep. Carlos Guimenez, a Republican ally in Congress whom I represent, said. In a statement to Fox News Digital. “Panama has agreed to drop a “memorandum of understanding” with communist China and abandon the tolls for US naval vessels passing through the canal zone. Panama must continue to work with the United States to drive communist China out of its own country and drive productive communism out. A long-term contract that prioritizes both the shared interests of both countries. ”
In addition to the canal, Rubio focused on immigration, praised Panama's for the declining migration flow through the Darien Gap, and returned deportation flights of Colombians to Colombia.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Rubio secured two agreements on Wednesday with the first El Salvador and Guatemala to accept deportations from the US.
