In the United States, the Constitution requires that appointments of ministers and other senior officials be confirmed by a vote in the Senate, after a hearing in the appropriate committee. Republican Senator Marco Rubio passed the hearing with flying colors. On Donald Trump’s inauguration day, he became the first member of the new Trump administration to be unanimously confirmed to his post. At 53, he succeeds Antony Blinken.
“Given the uncertainty currently reigning in the world, it is in America’s interest to waste no time and fulfill this role immediately,” explained the Republican and Democratic senators at the head of the commission.
Marco Rubio will have to work to carry out the diplomacy of President Donald Trump, who, in his inauguration speech on Monday, promised to “take back” control of the Panama Canal, and to ensure that the United States is at new “respected” in the world, while posing as a “peacemaker”. Marco Rubio is also a strong supporter of Israel, fiercely opposing Iran and the rise of its nuclear program.
Every dollar must make America “safer” and “more prosperous”
During his hearing last week before this same committee, Marco Rubio affirmed that China was “the most powerful and dangerous adversary that the United States has had to face” in its history. He said he wanted to implement Donald Trump’s slogan – “America first”. According to him, every diplomatic policy and every dollar spent by the United States must make America “safer,” “stronger,” and “more prosperous.”
On the war in Ukraine, the secretary of state called for “bold diplomacy” from the United States to end the war. In the Senate, Marco Rubio argued for arming Taiwan, through direct deliveries of American military equipment rather than through arms sales.
- On January 14, Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News anchor at the Pentagon
Confirmation procedures for members of Donald Trump’s government began on Tuesday January 14 in the US Senate with the hearing of potential Minister of Defense, Pete Hegseth, whose controversial profile is creating a strong stir in Washington. Despite the controversies, Donald Trump declared at the beginning of December to maintain his choice and assured that the former Fox News presenter was a “winner”. The 44-year-old man, with no experience in politics, says he wants to “bring back the warrior culture” to the Pentagon and fundamentally reform this department, which is too “woke” for his taste.
Douglas Collins, tipped to become Secretary of Veterans Affairs, is interviewed.
Pam Bondi, a candidate for justice, will be interviewed. Former Florida Attorney General – a position she held for more than 20 years – Pam Bondi was chosen by Donald Trump to become the next United States Minister of Justice.
Loyal to the elected president, whom she defended during his impeachment trial in 2020, she replaces the very controversial Matt Gaetz, accused of “sexual exploitation of a minor”. She should find under her orders at the Department of Justice three personal lawyers of Donald Trump, appointed to strategic positions. Russell Vought, tipped to lead the Office of Management and Budget, will also be heard by the senators.
Texan Brooke Rollins (Agriculture) and Daniel Driscoll (Secretariat of the Army) will be interviewed.
Other controversial appointments are not expected until next month. Like Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the nephew of President JFK, at Health or Kashyap Patel at the head of the FBI. During his first term, Trump attempted to appoint “Kash” to the CIA, but ultimately landed at the Secretary of Defense and held positions at the National Security Council and the Pentagon.