Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio

In an article for the Miami Herald published Sunday, journalist Emily Goodin argued that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become President Donald Trump’s key agent in reshaping U.S. foreign policy under an “America First” doctrine, wielding power across diplomacy, security, and domestic policy to enact the president’s agenda.

Goodin traced Rubio’s evolution from 2016 Trump critic to trusted lieutenant, arguing he now sits directly under Trump in foreign-policy decision making and acts as a bridge to domestic priorities.

She showed that Rubio’s dual roles as secretary of state and national security adviser give him control over diplomatic engagements, visa policy, and other levers of influence. Critics warn this concentration of authority risks distorting institutions and forcing policy shifts, but administration insiders defend Rubio’s centrality and say Trump is pleased with his performance.

Goodin presents Rubio not as a bystander but as the administration’s primary executor in foreign affairs and beyond.

Daniel Drezner, a professor of political science, was quoted in the article as saying that Rubio is “ideologically flexible.”

“The 2016 version of Rubio would be appalled at the 2025 version of Rubio, but the 2025 version of Rubio is a survivor,” he told the Herald.

Goodin also argued that Rubio’s rise is rooted in his ability to align with Trump personally and politically.

After Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, he relocated to Florida and became Rubio’s constituent. The two spoke frequently, with Rubio always taking Trump’s calls, the article said. As other Republicans distanced themselves during legal investigations, Rubio avoided public criticism and instead handled disagreements privately.

“He went out of his way to never criticize the president publicly. If there was a disagreement, to try to solve it quietly,” a source close to Rubio told the Herald.

The article noted that Rubio also cultivated strong ties with Trump’s inner circle. He worked closely with the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, on family policy and appeared on media platforms hosted by Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. and daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

Carlos Trujillo, Trump’s former ambassador to the Organization of American States, described Rubio and Trump as similar in work ethic and temperament, saying Rubio understood his role well. “He’s never tried to replace the president. He doesn’t try to be a substitute for the president. He tries to be the President’s trusted confidant, advisor,” Trujillo said.

An official, commenting on Rubio’s tenure, told the outlet: “When he raises his hand and says ‘I can’t do any more,’ then we’ll be serious about finding a replacement. But from our side, we won’t be looking."

On Rubio’s working style and proximity to Trump’s inner circle, the article notes he “splits his time between his two offices, typically spending mornings at the State Department and afternoons at the White House."