Republicans uneasy as state secretary takes on dual role in Trump administration

For the first time in 50 years, a single individual will oversee both US diplomacy and national security following recent staff shuffling in Donald Trump’s administration.

Republicans are concerned about excessive centralization of power through the appointment of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to temporarily serve as the President’s National Security Advisor, Caliber.Az reports citing an article by Politico.

This decision has been made in response to Trump releasing Mike Waltz from this advisory position and appointing him as the US representative to the United Nations on May 1.

According to three senior White House officials that spoke to the publication, Rubio will serve for at least six months in both key positions.

Sources indicate that some of President Trump’s advisors are interested in Rubio holding both positions on a permanent basis. One official noted that the recent appointment was not intended as a temporary measure.

Although Rubio did not seek the role, President Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles urged him to take on broader responsibilities in foreign policy and to strengthen control over the administration’s foreign policy direction.

Politico reports that this appointment marks a significant promotion for the former rival of Trump during the 2016 primaries. At that time, Cuban-born Rubio and Trump exchanged a row of harsh and personal attacks which is why some members of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement view Rubio with suspicion.

By Nazrin Sadigova