Marco Rubio shut down speculation about his departure from the Trump administration on Tuesday, telling The New York Times that serving until the end of the president's term is his "only plan." The Secretary of State, who also holds the title of National Security Adviser, refused to discuss a 2028 presidential run, stating he "literally will not talk about 2028 anymore." He attributed the rumors to anonymous sources and emphasized his commitment to the current administration, saying, "I love the work I’m doing."
The denial comes amid significant political pressure following Republican losses in the midterm elections. Vice President JD Vance criticized the administration’s handling of the Iran war and economic messaging in a post-election assessment, blaming these factors for the party's setbacks. Rubio acknowledged the political cost of the Iran conflict, noting that "higher prices at the gas pump" are not ideal campaign material. Despite this, he defended Trump’s decision-making, calling it the "price of leadership" to prioritize national security over political expediency.
The White House has moved to quell further instability by backing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose role in the Iran war has drawn fire. Trump told ABC News he has "every intention" of keeping Hegseth, praising him for doing a "fantastic job." However, the political battle is far from over. Republican Representative Thomas Massie is preparing an impeachment resolution against Hegseth, expected as early as next week. Hegseth has dismissed the effort as a politically motivated attack.
Administrative changes may still be on the horizon. The Washington Post reported that Trump is considering replacing General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, both of whom played key roles in advising on the Iran war. White House spokesperson Beni Rae Harmony called reports of a cabinet shakeup a "fabricated hoax," while Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson labeled them "baseless fake news." The next major political test will be the introduction of Massie’s impeachment resolution against Hegseth in the House.