US Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state on Trump’s inauguration day

WASHINGTON: The US Senate voted to confirm Marco Rubio as Secretary of State on Monday, making him the first official in Donald Trump's administration to be approved on his presidential inauguration day.

The vote, which came just hours after Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, was unanimous at 99-0.

Rubio will assume the role amid multiple global crises and conflicts, including Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon involving Israel.

Rubio, 53, first elected to the Senate in 2010, is known for his hardline stance on Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and China.

Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel, has consistently adopted hardline positions. Earlier this year, he accused President Joe Biden of appealing to “antisemites” in the Democratic Party by criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged the administration to revoke visas for foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, labeling them as "terrorist sympathizers."

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