Marco Rubio's Reputation Grows in Trump World — With a Price
The former Trump rival is taking on four roles, including that of national security adviser, contrary to expectations that he would be a weak player.
TroibNews 
Marco Rubio is making significant strides under President Donald Trump, exceeding expectations. Once perceived as a weak player within the Trump administration, Rubio has managed to earn the president's trust. This week, Trump appointed him as interim national security adviser, succeeding Mike Waltz, with some advisers discussing the possibility of making this role permanent.
Rubio's standing has improved in Trump's eyes largely because he has shifted away from many of his previous policy positions, vocally supported some of Trump's more controversial stances, and collaborated effectively with influential figures in the administration. “He took this job knowing exactly what he was getting into,” stated Sen. James Risch of Idaho, the Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “When you take a job like this, you are no longer a free agent like you are when you're a United States senator… When you take the job, you commit to make happen what your boss wants to happen, and he has real ability to do that.”
In contrast to how Trump once mocked Rubio as “Li’l Marco,” he now views the former Florida senator as a skilled problem-solver, entrusting him with four significant roles. During a recent address in the Rose Garden, Trump remarked, “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.”
Rubio’s ascension serves as a guide for others navigating the complexities of Trump’s inner circle, which was notorious for high turnover. The key strategies involve subduing personal ambitions, speaking out in defense of Trump’s positions when necessary, and outmaneuvering rivals to remain in the president's favor. “It's a snake pit, but Rubio just seemed to be a little better at navigating it,” a former Trump administration official commented on the delicate dynamics among Trump’s top advisers.
Critics argue that Rubio's increasing prominence comes at a high cost—specifically, his abandonment of policies he once championed. Some claim he has become a mere Trump loyalist, lacking influence beyond his association with the president. “Once you let yourself get trampled on, you lose respect, you lose cache, you lose your future in Washington, and Rubio is a doormat,” remarked Adam Ereli, a former U.S. ambassador to Bahrain under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, supporters view Rubio as a cunning politician who has attained various achievements, including serving as the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives at just 35 and holding senior positions on the intelligence and foreign relations committees. They argue that his adaptability and responsiveness to voter sentiment, including that of Trump supporters, have been crucial to his success.
Consequently, his portfolio has expanded significantly. He now serves simultaneously as secretary of State, interim national security adviser, acting administrator for USAID, and acting archivist of the United States. The State Department issued a statement affirming, “Secretary Rubio is honored by the trust placed in him and is working every single day to execute the president’s agenda.”
Rubio’s ability to navigate the political landscape without being overly possessive has contributed to his success. While he is surrounded by influential figures such as special envoy Steve Witkoff, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Vice President JD Vance, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, he has managed to maintain a collaborative approach, particularly on issues like Iran policy.
However, Rubio is not shy about making tough decisions, such as pushing out Pete Marocco, a MAGA favorite, amidst policy disagreements. He also resisted drastic cuts to the State Department advocated by Trump adviser Elon Musk, aiming to avoid chaos similar to that experienced at USAID. Although Rubio implemented significant cuts and restructuring, he approached these changes more deliberately.
Additionally, Rubio has won Trump’s approval by embracing many of the president’s policies that were previously at odds with his own views. He has shifted from advocating for international human rights programs—perceived by the MAGA base as wasteful—to cutting such initiatives. His previously hawkish stance on foreign policy has also moderated; he now encourages pragmatic approaches toward nations like Russia and China.
Rubio has actively sought to engage with the MAGA base, appearing frequently on popular conservative talk shows. “He has fundamentally converted his own foreign policy views in order to serve,” noted Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Rubio himself articulated his commitment to the president’s vision upon his appointment, stating, “In our republic, the voters decide the course of our nation… and they have elected Donald J. Trump as our president when it comes to foreign policy on a very clear mission."
He has also vigorously implemented Trump’s anti-immigration policies, taking actions such as revoking numerous student visas and supporting efforts to send migrants to a prison in El Salvador. When asked about the erroneous deportation of an individual, Rubio replied, “I would never tell you that. And you know who else I’ll never tell? A judge… The conduct of our foreign policy belongs to the president of the United States and the executive branch, not some judge.”
As Rubio is expected to serve in both the secretary of State and national security adviser roles for at least six months or longer, some current and former State Department officials express concerns about the viability of effectively managing both jobs. There are worries that the roles may be diluted and that balancing the extensive travel required of a secretary of State with the demands of a national security adviser could prove challenging. “It’s hard to be in two places at once,” a former senior diplomat remarked.
There’s a certain level of hubris at the State Department, which has historically seen its authority diminished by the NSC and Pentagon. “What's the NSC? A new bureau of State?" quipped one State official.
The only other figure to have held both positions, Henry Kissinger, faced scrutiny over whether he biased decision-making in favor of the State Department during his tenure in the 1970s. “People at the Defense Department and other agencies… thought that it was unfair that everything was biased in Kissinger's favor because he held two chairs,” recalled John Bolton, a former Trump national security adviser who has since fallen out of favor with the president. “That was one reason why pressure grew on [President Gerald] Ford, ultimately, to separate them and go back to the regular order.”
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
Rubio's standing has improved in Trump's eyes largely because he has shifted away from many of his previous policy positions, vocally supported some of Trump's more controversial stances, and collaborated effectively with influential figures in the administration. “He took this job knowing exactly what he was getting into,” stated Sen. James Risch of Idaho, the Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “When you take a job like this, you are no longer a free agent like you are when you're a United States senator… When you take the job, you commit to make happen what your boss wants to happen, and he has real ability to do that.”
In contrast to how Trump once mocked Rubio as “Li’l Marco,” he now views the former Florida senator as a skilled problem-solver, entrusting him with four significant roles. During a recent address in the Rose Garden, Trump remarked, “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.”
Rubio’s ascension serves as a guide for others navigating the complexities of Trump’s inner circle, which was notorious for high turnover. The key strategies involve subduing personal ambitions, speaking out in defense of Trump’s positions when necessary, and outmaneuvering rivals to remain in the president's favor. “It's a snake pit, but Rubio just seemed to be a little better at navigating it,” a former Trump administration official commented on the delicate dynamics among Trump’s top advisers.
Critics argue that Rubio's increasing prominence comes at a high cost—specifically, his abandonment of policies he once championed. Some claim he has become a mere Trump loyalist, lacking influence beyond his association with the president. “Once you let yourself get trampled on, you lose respect, you lose cache, you lose your future in Washington, and Rubio is a doormat,” remarked Adam Ereli, a former U.S. ambassador to Bahrain under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, supporters view Rubio as a cunning politician who has attained various achievements, including serving as the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives at just 35 and holding senior positions on the intelligence and foreign relations committees. They argue that his adaptability and responsiveness to voter sentiment, including that of Trump supporters, have been crucial to his success.
Consequently, his portfolio has expanded significantly. He now serves simultaneously as secretary of State, interim national security adviser, acting administrator for USAID, and acting archivist of the United States. The State Department issued a statement affirming, “Secretary Rubio is honored by the trust placed in him and is working every single day to execute the president’s agenda.”
Rubio’s ability to navigate the political landscape without being overly possessive has contributed to his success. While he is surrounded by influential figures such as special envoy Steve Witkoff, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Vice President JD Vance, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, he has managed to maintain a collaborative approach, particularly on issues like Iran policy.
However, Rubio is not shy about making tough decisions, such as pushing out Pete Marocco, a MAGA favorite, amidst policy disagreements. He also resisted drastic cuts to the State Department advocated by Trump adviser Elon Musk, aiming to avoid chaos similar to that experienced at USAID. Although Rubio implemented significant cuts and restructuring, he approached these changes more deliberately.
Additionally, Rubio has won Trump’s approval by embracing many of the president’s policies that were previously at odds with his own views. He has shifted from advocating for international human rights programs—perceived by the MAGA base as wasteful—to cutting such initiatives. His previously hawkish stance on foreign policy has also moderated; he now encourages pragmatic approaches toward nations like Russia and China.
Rubio has actively sought to engage with the MAGA base, appearing frequently on popular conservative talk shows. “He has fundamentally converted his own foreign policy views in order to serve,” noted Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Rubio himself articulated his commitment to the president’s vision upon his appointment, stating, “In our republic, the voters decide the course of our nation… and they have elected Donald J. Trump as our president when it comes to foreign policy on a very clear mission."
He has also vigorously implemented Trump’s anti-immigration policies, taking actions such as revoking numerous student visas and supporting efforts to send migrants to a prison in El Salvador. When asked about the erroneous deportation of an individual, Rubio replied, “I would never tell you that. And you know who else I’ll never tell? A judge… The conduct of our foreign policy belongs to the president of the United States and the executive branch, not some judge.”
As Rubio is expected to serve in both the secretary of State and national security adviser roles for at least six months or longer, some current and former State Department officials express concerns about the viability of effectively managing both jobs. There are worries that the roles may be diluted and that balancing the extensive travel required of a secretary of State with the demands of a national security adviser could prove challenging. “It’s hard to be in two places at once,” a former senior diplomat remarked.
There’s a certain level of hubris at the State Department, which has historically seen its authority diminished by the NSC and Pentagon. “What's the NSC? A new bureau of State?" quipped one State official.
The only other figure to have held both positions, Henry Kissinger, faced scrutiny over whether he biased decision-making in favor of the State Department during his tenure in the 1970s. “People at the Defense Department and other agencies… thought that it was unfair that everything was biased in Kissinger's favor because he held two chairs,” recalled John Bolton, a former Trump national security adviser who has since fallen out of favor with the president. “That was one reason why pressure grew on [President Gerald] Ford, ultimately, to separate them and go back to the regular order.”
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
