Two Florida lawmakers with strong positions on China, Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Michael Waltz, are reportedly being considered for key foreign relations roles in President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration, according to U.S. media reports.
Sources say Rubio is in talks for the role of Secretary of State, though an agreement has not been finalized. Meanwhile, Waltz, a congressman and military veteran, is the frontrunner for the position of National Security Adviser, two sources familiar with the discussions said.
Neither Rubio’s nor Waltz’s offices have responded to requests for comment.
Trump’s administration is beginning to take shape following his recent election win. The Republican Party is nearing full control of Congress, having regained the Senate and closing in on a majority in the House as vote-counting continues.
While some positions, like Secretary of State, require Senate confirmation, Trump has pressed for a process allowing him to bypass this step. Other roles, such as National Security Adviser, can be appointed directly.
The potential roles for Rubio and Waltz follow recent appointments of Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff, former immigration official Tom Homan as “Border Czar,” and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as Ambassador to the United Nations.
With around 4,000 political appointments to make, Trump has a substantial staffing responsibility, a process that took him months during his first term.
