Florida Republican Sin. Marco Rubio He sailed through his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, confirming that he will take on the role of top diplomat under the new Trump administration later this month.
Rubio's confirmation hearing — a process typically filled with verbal diatribes, strong political agendas and disingenuous answers — was filled with compliments, with Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike praising his work in the Senate and his in-depth knowledge of complex issues around the world.
Here are the biggest moments from Rubio's hearing.
The demonstrators
Although Rubio was welcomed by his Senate colleagues, the hearing was not entirely without controversy.
The Secretary of State's opening remarks were interrupted by several protesters affiliated with A.J The group known as Code Pinkwho were protesting the war between Israel and Hamas and wearing pink T-shirts that read, “Stop killing Gaza’s children.”
Two of the protesters who were forced to leave the hall were male, before a female demonstrator also stood up and shouted in Spanish.
She was quickly escorted out of the room and the session immediately resumed.
“I have bilingual protesters,” a smiling Rubio told a panel of senators before resuming his remarks.
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio navigated his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In is
Rubio's sarcasm about the protesters appeared to set the tone for the hearing.
Although Rubio faced tough questions about detailed geopolitical issues on nearly every continent, lawmakers from both parties also joked with their Senate colleague.
Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott introduced Rubio at the top of the hearing and quipped that he would “finally” become Florida's first senator after the duo served together in the Senate since 2019.
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker chuckled when he said, “Senator Rubio, the president-elect, made a great decision in selecting you.
“You are a thought leader on foreign policy. However, I don't think most Americans know what a great thought leader you are in the NCAA, NFL and high school football, and I'm a little disappointed that you won't be going.” To the president of the NCAA for the time being.”
“Not yet,” Rubio replied, sparking laughter in the room.
In another bipartisan moment rarely seen during Cabinet nomination hearings, Democratic Illinois State Senator Tammy Duckworth She told a poignant story from one of her first meetings with Rubio — a stark contrast to her questioning of Pete Hegseth the day before.
In 2018, not only was Duckworth relatively new to the Senate, but the soon-to-be mother was also lobbying the congressional body to change its rules and allow new parents to bring their children on the Senate floor during votes.
Duckworth, who became physically disabled after surviving a 2004 RPG attack on her helicopter in Iraq, described rolling across the Senate chamber in her wheelchair when she heard someone call her name.
“You came running from the back of the Senate to tell me: 'I'm with you. I'll support you,'” she said. “And I just want to thank you for that kindness… It was a moment of true bipartisanship.”
“I think exactly what you said is, 'What's the problem? This place is already full of kids,'” Rubio responded, drawing laughter again.
Although Rubio faced tough questions about detailed geopolitical issues on nearly every continent, lawmakers from both parties were also joking with him. (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images)
Serious issues
The five-hour hearing was not a fun and funny one, as Rubio was pressed on issues with major security implications such as the war in Ukraine, China and NATO. and polar security.
Rubio surprised no one with his tough approach to China and his commitment to remaining a strong NATO ally.
Although one area where senators may have hoped Rubio would come out more specifically is what continued support for Ukraine might look like and how the incoming Trump administration would handle the issue of Ukraine becoming a NATO member.
Both Ukraine and Russia expressed their willingness to negotiate a ceasefire. But securing a lasting peace agreement may be difficult because Ukraine's accession to NATO is considered non-negotiable by Kiev – which wants the alliance's security – and Moscow – which has shown great enthusiasm. Opposed Ukraine's membership in NATO.
He added: “The truth of the matter is that in this conflict there is no way to take over all of Ukraine. The Ukrainians are very brave, they fight hard, and the country is very big.”
US Senator Marco Rubio testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination to be Secretary of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 15, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
But Rubio added, “It's not possible for Ukraine to push these people (Russians) back to where they were on the eve of the invasion.”
Rubio noted that Ukraine would not be able to keep up with the sheer number of bodies that Russia could throw into a war.
“It's important for everyone to be realistic,” Rubio said. “There have to be compromises.” “This will not be easy. (It will require) a lot of difficult diplomacy,” he added.
Trump Cabinet picks Pam Bondi, Marco Rubio and others faced a full day of questions from senators
China problem
Security threats surrounding China have featured in nearly every issue Rubio has been asked to address, including its growing presence in Africa and Latin America, its repressive practices in the South China Sea, concerns about trade, human rights abuses, technology and its growing ties with China. Other hostile countries.
But there is a new issue that has been making headlines recently, which is the China issue Involvement in the Panama Canal.
“This is something that has been around now for at least a decade in my service,” he said, referring to a 2017 trip to Panama. “Chinese companies control the port facilities on both ends of the canal — the east and the west. There were concerns among military and security officials, including in Panama, at that point, (that) it could one day be used as a choke point.” To obstruct trade at a moment of conflict.”
He added: “This is a legitimate issue that must be confronted.”
The issue of Chinese control of the key waterway resurfaced earlier this month when Trump refused to say whether he would rule out military intervention in the Panama Canal.
Rubio has been pressed on the issue several times, though it has been clear that he has not yet reached the point where he knows enough about the legal parameters of US intervention in Panama to give a comprehensive response.
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Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine praised Rubio for being “very well prepared” for his confirmation hearing as the next Secretary of State. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
Kayne Goshes
Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine praised Rubio for being “very well prepared” for his confirmation hearing as the next secretary of state, a stark contrast to his nervousness. Dealing with Hegseth During his hearing a day ago.
“We're used to seeing candidates who know a lot about a couple of things and, sometimes, who know a little bit about almost everything,” he said. “But I think you've seen a hearing with a candidate who agrees or disagrees with the points he makes, not speaking from a brief book.
“He doesn't have his thumb in a file to decide how to answer a particular question,” Ken continued. “I have been amazed at working with Senator Rubio on this committee, since I came to the Senate in January 2013, because he has a very sophisticated sense of the world and a passion for all parts of the world.”
Kaine's sentiments appeared to be shared by the entire committee, and several senators expressed confidence in Rubio's unanimous confirmation to the top job.
