Newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio has paused the Biden administration's refugee operations and is set to ramp up

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to reiterate Washington's support for its ally, and the two also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the State Department said.

In a Senate confirmation hearing that often turned to discussion of Israel, Marco Rubio voiced his view that the United States should revoke the visas of any “supporter of Hamas” in the country. The Florida GOP senator,

Trump's new Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and let him know that 'support for Israel is a top priority' for the 47th president, a State Department spokesperson said.

Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente spoke with the new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about security and migration issues in a first official contact between the two diplomats, Mexico's president told reporters on Wednesday.

Donald Trump's former primary opponent Sen. Marco Rubio is meeting with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday as the president-elect's secretary of state nominee.

Rubio -- long known as a Russia and China hawk in the Senate -- has been accused of dialing back his interventionist foreign policy approach to align with Trump's positions and may face fresh criticism from opponents who believe he might prioritize serving as a yes man to president over serving the country.

Mr Rubio told Mr Netanyahu that the US will continue to work "tirelessly" to help free the remaining hostages in Gaza. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Rubio was the first of President Trump’s cabinet picks to be confirmed. His mandate now is to advance Trump’s priorities abroad, including border policies that require cooperation with Mexico.

Within hours of his inauguration, President Trump’s flurry of executive orders is facing significant pushback from politicians and legal groups. On Day 1 of his second administration, Trump signed a slew of actions covering everything from immigration to energy policy.

President-elect Donald Trump (R) announced U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio as his nominee for secretary of state on November 13, 2024. This presidential appointment requires Senate confirmation. If confirmed, Rubio will be the first Latino U.S. secretary of state.