Secretary of State. Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Acting Archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration. Now, also Interim National Security Adviser to President Trump.
Marco Rubio, 53, has accumulated four titles, starting with his confirmation as Secretary of State on January 20, the same day Mr. Trump was sworn in.
This might represent a record in modern U.S. government history, adding to the immigrant success narrative surrounding Mr. Rubio, a former senator from Florida whose parents immigrated from Cuba, with his father working as a bartender and mother as a housekeeper.
However, the accumulation of titles raises concerns about Mr. Rubio’s capacity to contribute substantially to the administration, particularly under a president who often disregards traditional governmental operations and has appointed his businessman associate, Steve Witkoff, to handle sensitive diplomatic matters.
Mr. Trump revealed Mr. Rubio’s newest position through a social media post on Thursday, marking a surprising shift in personnel within the administration. This followed Mr. Trump’s decision to remove Michael Waltz from the national security adviser position and appoint him as the ambassador to the United Nations.
Mr. Rubio’s rapid appointment — reminiscent of a character in a B-grade sci-fi movie — caught State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce off guard, as she learned about it through a reporter during a live news conference.
“That illustrates the power of modern technology and social media,” Ms. Bruce commented. “An exciting moment indeed.”
In an effort to clarify unfolding events, Ms. Bruce mentioned Mr. Rubio’s regular presence at the White House and his close working relationship with the president, indicating they have become well acquainted.
Holding four positions signifies not only the trust Mr. Trump has in Mr. Rubio but also his close rapport with Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff.
Naturally, having four positions leads to practical concerns: Will Mr. Rubio receive a pay increase? Will he have time for global diplomacy? How will he manage his responsibilities?
There are historical precedents to consider. From 1973 to 1975, Henry Kissinger concurrently held Mr. Rubio’s roles of Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, a period often cited as unsuccessful. Presently, in the Trump administration, Kash Patel and Daniel Driscoll have both temporarily headed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives while maintaining their other prominent roles.
Yet, it may be more appropriate to look internationally for parallels. Xi Jinping, China’s leader, holds several top titles, but still has one fewer than Mr. Rubio when all his primary roles are considered.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Mr. Rubio as Secretary of State, but his entry into the other roles was controversial. Mr. Trump dismissed the former archivist, Colleen Shogan, seemingly as retaliation against the National Archives and Records Administration for raising issues about Mr. Trump’s retention of classified documents in Florida after his presidency.
Just four days prior to Ms. Shogan’s dismissal, Mr. Rubio announced he was the acting administrator of U.S.A.I.D. while major budget cuts and staff layoffs were being executed under advisers like Elon Musk and Pete Marocco.
Mr. Rubio is now integrating the remaining operations of U.S.A.I.D. into the State Department, having released a reorganization chart that shows him retaining the U.S.A.I.D. Administrator title.
Analysts had already noted significant issues related to Mr. Rubio holding multiple roles before his appointment as interim national security adviser.
“Holding two (or in Rubio’s case, three) significant positions simultaneously is not optimal — directing government agencies requires focused attention,” remarked a post from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “Rubio’s situation raises distinct concerns.”
The writer, Gabriella Cantor, highlighted a clear conflict of interest: the archivist is responsible for ensuring federal agencies, including those Mr. Rubio oversees, preserve important records. This becomes even more complex with Mr. Rubio’s involvement in National Security.
Regarding Mr. Rubio’s salary for these roles, the State Department did not comment on Thursday when inquired.
That evening, Vice President JD Vance suggested on social media that Mr. Rubio could assume even more duties as a central authority figure.
“I believe he could take on additional responsibilities,” wrote Mr. Vance, who met with Pope Francis at the Vatican shortly before the pope’s death. “If only there were a position available for a devout Catholic…”
Michael Crowley contributed reporting.