WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly feeling sidelined within the Trump administration, excluded from key foreign policy decisions despite holding the nation’s top diplomatic role, according to a Vanity Fair report published Tuesday by journalist Gabriel Sherman.
This growing frustration was further underscored by a heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an incident that resulted in Zelensky being ejected from the White House. Rubio, present at the confrontation, remained notably silent throughout the ordeal.
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“While Rubio was quick to get in line in the days after the Zelenskyy showdown, the historic confrontation did indeed reveal a fault line inside the administration: Rubio is privately frustrated that Trump has effectively sidelined him,” wrote Sherman.
“According to four prominent Republicans close to the White House, Rubio, who has been a Russia hawk and Ukraine supporter, has told people he is upset by his lack of foreign policy influence despite being, on paper at least, the administration’s top diplomat.”
Sources familiar with the situation told Sherman that Rubio often appears to be among the last to learn about major foreign policy decisions made in the White House. “Rubio’s unhappiness with Trump was brewing before Zelenskyy’s visit went sideways,” Republicans speaking to Sherman claimed.
“Two of the sources said Rubio was caught off guard when Trump appointed nine foreign policy ‘envoys’ with high-profile assignments such as ending the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.” One source also noted that Rubio was displeased with Trump’s decision to revoke former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s government security detail, further diminishing the traditional role of the Secretary of State in major diplomatic affairs.
Rubio’s diminished influence is particularly notable given his previously strong stance in favor of aiding Ukraine during his tenure in the Senate. His former colleagues have taken notice, with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) even likening Rubio’s transformation under the Trump administration to being “lobotomized.”
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Even before Rubio’s confirmation as Secretary of State, many career diplomats had expressed doubts about his ability to thrive in the role, with some predicting he might not last beyond a year. As tensions persist between Trump and members of his administration, Rubio’s struggles highlight deeper fractures within the White House over foreign policy direction and decision-making.
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