Right after the election, rumors began swirling that Marco Rubio, Trump’s secretary of state, would be leaving the administration. His departure would make sense by giving him almost two years to remove the stain that Donald Trump and his arrogance have inflicted on those associated with him.
JD Vance has already started to try to distance himself from Sir Donald by blaming the election debacle on Trump’s war with Iran. Say goodbye to any endorsement from Trump when JD seeks the presidential nomination.
Rubio, if he can shed the Trump imprint, looks to be the most solid of GOP presidential hopefuls come 2028. He is mainstream conservative, not too extreme nor too hesitant, and he’s engaging and likeable. He’s also managed to steer clear of the Iran debacle as diplomatically as possible.
Were he able to disengage from the administration now and begin building his credentials along with a movement for a presidential bid, Rubio would be formidable. If he stays, the stain will become more indelible.
Another consideration: Should he leave, Trump will lambast him to the hilt and paint him as some kind of disloyal egomaniac, much as he did to his first vice president, Mike Pence.
JD should be forewarned too: Trump will not only not support him for president, but will also tear him to pieces should he seek the nomination, now that he has criticized Trump’s holy war.
