Marco Rubio denies exit plans, vows to serve Trump's full second term
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed reports suggesting he is considering leaving the Trump administration following the Republican Party's setbacks in the midterm elections, insisting that completing President Donald Trump's second term has always been his plan.
In an interview with The New York Times, Rubio said he had no intention of stepping down and rejected speculation that he could leave his position to prepare for a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
“Working for President Trump for the duration of his second term has always been my plan,” Rubio said.
“I don’t know where these things come from, to be honest with you,” he added, responding to reports about his possible departure.
Rubio also dismissed questions about his multiple responsibilities in the administration, saying, “I love the work I’m doing. And plus I always laugh when they say he’s going to leave his job. I go, ‘Which one?’”
The reports emerged after the Republicans suffered significant setbacks in the midterm elections, triggering fresh speculation about the party's leadership and its potential presidential candidates for 2028.
Bloomberg News reported that Rubio had discussed the possibility of stepping down with White House officials and that he and his advisers were examining his future options.
However, the White House and State Department strongly denied the reports.
White House spokesperson Beni Rae Harmony described the claims as a “fabricated hoax” being circulated by anonymous sources, adding that Rubio remained a committed supporter of Trump and the MAGA movement.
Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson also called the reports “completely baseless fake news”.RUBIO'S 2028 AMBITIONS
Despite the denials, Rubio is increasingly being viewed as a potential Republican presidential contender for 2028, particularly following questions over Vice President JD Vance's political prospects after the midterm results.
Republican sources and officials cited by The Independent reportedly see Rubio as a leading potential successor to Trump. Some believe he could eventually distance himself from the administration over its handling of the Iran war.
However, sources cited by The New York Post said Rubio's original plan was to remain in the administration throughout Trump's second term.
A senior administration official said Rubio had intended from the beginning to serve all four years and had even joked that he would not take a vacation.
Rubio currently holds two influential positions as Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, placing him at the centre of the administration's foreign policy and national security decisions.
He also maintains a close working relationship with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Vice President JD Vance.CUBA POLICY ANOTHER FACTOR
Another reason Rubio may remain in the administration is his long-standing ambition to bring political change in Cuba.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has made challenging Cuba's communist government a central part of his political career. Sources said he would be reluctant to leave before achieving his foreign policy objectives concerning the island.
Republican donor Dan Eberhart suggested that the midterm results had weakened Vance's prospects while strengthening Rubio's position.
“The midterms blew up Vance’s [2028 prospects] and Rubio’s stock is soaring,” Eberhart said.
He added that Rubio might find it difficult to return to Miami before achieving his goal of toppling Cuba's communist regime.
Rubio has previously indicated that he would not challenge Vance if the Vice President decides to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028.
However, the midterm setbacks have intensified speculation about whether Rubio could emerge as an alternative candidate.
Asked about his presidential ambitions in the New York Times interview, Rubio refused to discuss the 2028 race.
“I literally will not talk about 2028 anymore,” he said. “I just won’t do it.”
Rubio is scheduled to deliver his first major speech after the midterm elections next Friday at the Federalist Society's National Lawyers Convention in Washington, DC.- Ends
