Vance’s First Official VP Duty: Swearing in Marco Rubio As Secretary of State

As the newly sworn Vice President of the United States, JD Vance performed his first executive branch duty: the swearing-in of former Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as the 72nd United States Secretary of State. Vance made note of this in his remarks. 

I also, of course, want to thank President Trump for nominating Sen. Rubio, giving me a first, easy swearing in. It’s the first time I’ve ever sworn in an official of the United States government. 

As RedState reported, Rubio’s nomination for Secretary of State cleared the full Senate 99-0. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) was Rubio’s “sherpa,” navigating him through the nomination hurdles. Vance acknowledged Risch’s quick work.

I want to thank Sen. Jim Risch and his family for making this easy. You guys got this done, and got it done very quickly. Ninety-nine to zero, right?  I don’t think even I would have gotten close to 99-0. So, Sen. Rubio, it’s a great testament to your career of service, but it’s a new chapter, man. But I think you’re going to do great.

As Senate colleagues and friends, Vance had glowing words in his introduction of President Trump’s pick, calling him a “bipartisan solution seeker” and “a guy who actually gets things done, but a conservative of great principle and great vision.”

Vance enforced the most important aspect of the appointment: the furtherance of the America First agenda on the world stage.

Sen. Rubio, I believe understands the distinctive priorities of President Trump and why it represents such a significant and frankly, important and needed departure from a generation of failed foreign policies. Sen. Rubio will be the chief diplomat of the United States of America, but he will remain a friend. I’m proud to know him and I’m proud to do this.

At Rubio’s side was his wife Jeanette, who held the Bible as Vance administered the oath of office. 

Marco Rubio is sworn in as the 72nd Secretary of State.

FOLLOW: @secrubio pic.twitter.com/RwDgBgi42X

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 21, 2025

After taking the oath, Rubio made remarks.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for making time. It’s been a busy 72 hours, and umm… maybe longer, 96 hours, I guess.

First of all, I want to thank Jeanette, my wife, who has been so supportive. As the Vice President knows well, it is impossible to do any of the jobs we do here, including the Senate, but now in this new role, without the support of our famliy, and particularly of our spouses. So, thank you for being supportive every step fo the way. I would not stand here before you today without that. 

I’m also thrilled and grateful that four of my children are here. They’re the most important legacy that I will leave behind, the most important job I’ll ever have is that of a father and a husband. And, I’m honored that they were able to join us. Amanda, my oldest; Daniella, my second; Anthony, our third; and then, Dominick. I’m very happy they’re able to see this today. 

Rubio extended thanks and acknowledgments to Sen. Risch, deeming their collegiality and friendship as “one of the special relationships I’ve established.”

And obviously it’s an honor to be with the Vice President who I think is going to be phenomenal. Someone I knew, and admired, and actually relied on for policy ideas before he was even elected to the Senate. And now will do an extraordinary job for the president. I can’t think of a better voice for the world and for the president’s policies.

Rubio articulated his role as Secretary of State and outlined the mandate given to the States Department. 

As far as the task ahead: President Trump was elected to keep promises, and he’s going to keep those promises. And his primary promise when it comes to foreign policy is that the priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States. It will be furthering the national interests of this country. And he’s given us a very clear mandate. President Trump has made it very clear everything we do; this is true in government, but especially at the Department of State. Everything we do must be justified by the answer to one of three questions: does it make us stronger? Does it make us safer? Does it make us more prosperous? If it doesn’t do one of those three things, we are not going to do it. So, that is the goal, and that is the task, and that is the promise he was elected to keep. That is the promise he will keep and we will help him to keep. 

It’s a transformational moment. 

Rubio finalized his remarks by hearkening back to President Trump’s inaugural address, where he made clear the primary goal of American foreign policy for the administration.

[T]he primary goals of American foreign policies is the promotion of peace. Of course, peace through strength, peace and always without abandoning our values, but I think it’s extraordinary that it is something that needs to be said and hasn’t been said enough in recent memory. And we look forward to being a key part of helping the president achieve his agenda that he has a clear mandate to keep.

Rubio made remarks in Spanish and afterward joked to the room, “I just said I saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico,” to communal laughter. Ever bold in his faith, Rubio gave thanks to God as he concluded.

I want to end by thanking Almighty God, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is truly the singular purpose of our lives, it’s most important priority. It’s the only thing that will matter when we take our last breath on this earth. But this is an extraordinary opportunity which would not have been possible without God’s blessings.

I’m honored, and I’m privileged, cognizant of the responsibility. I want to thank President Trump for his confidence. We will work hard every second of the day to help him achieve the agenda the American people have given him to achieve.

Thank you. Thanks for being a part of this today. God Bless all of you.

This post was originally published on this site