Photo: Chip Somodevilla Getty Images/Agence France-Presse Between Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, it hasn’t always been love at first sight. The Florida senator was opposed to the real estate mogul during the 2016 Republican primaries.
Camille Camdessus – Agence France-Presse in Washington
Posted at 11:43
- United States
An anti-China “hawk” in diplomacy, a “dog-killer” governor in homeland security: Donald Trump continues to unveil the cast of his future government on Tuesday, before a crucial meeting with Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday.
The Republican, who made an extraordinary comeback by winning the US presidential election just a week ago, is moving at a fast pace to appoint his loyalists to key positions.
After appointing three of his lieutenants to the UN, the Environment and Immigration, the president-elect is expected to announce that he is choosing influential Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Known for taking a very hard line on China and Iran, this 53-year-old elected official was until now co-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Marco Rubio and small hands
However, it hasn't always been love at first sight between Donald Trump and Marco Rubio.
The Florida senator was opposed to the real estate magnate during the 2016 Republican primaries, a vote in which he openly mocked the size of Donald Trump's hands and complexion.
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But the two men seem to have since buried the hatchet.
His upcoming nomination, reported by American media, risks giving Kiev cold sweats: Marco Rubio said in early November that it was necessary to “put an end” to the war in Ukraine, in an “impasse” according to him.
Another “hawk”, Florida representative Michael Waltz, is tipped for the highly strategic position of national security advisor at the White House.
Together, they would be the key architects of Donald Trump's foreign policy, who has promised to put an end to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East — without ever explaining how.
Governor known for having killed his dog
Beyond the diplomatic aspect, the president-elect should also proceed with the appointment of the governor, Kristi Noem, a faithful among the faithful, to lead the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for customs and border guards.
Her name had been mentioned among the credible candidates likely to become Donald Trump's running mate in his third campaign for the White House.
But this ambition to become vice president had been doused when the sulphurous governor of South Dakota revealed that she had shot and killed her young dog, because she was according to her “untameable”.
This news had provoked a deluge of negative reactions in April in the political class and on social networks, dogs occupying a special place in the lives of many families American.
Trump in Washington
Donald Trump, who will continue with these appointments throughout the week, will be in Washington on Wednesday for a highly scrutinized meeting with Joe Biden.
The Democratic president has promised a “peaceful and orderly” transfer of power to his Republican successor after his vice-president, Kamala Harris, lost the election.
Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, is also due to visit Congress to meet with Republican officials.
The 47th president of the United States will in all likelihood enjoy full powers in Washington: his party won the majority in the Senate and is expected to retain control of the House of Representatives, according to a count that is still in progress. course.
“It's a beautiful morning in Washington, it's a new day for America,” said Republican Mike Johnson, who, barring any major surprises, is expected to continue to preside over the House.
The Senate leadership will be the subject of a closed-door election among Republicans. The richest man on the planet, Elon Musk, who played an unprecedented role in Donald Trump's campaign, has thrown all his strength behind the candidacy of Florida Senator Rick Scott.