Report: Rubio Expected to Step Down, Eyeing 2028 Bid
Secretary of State Marco Rubio may resign to prepare a 2028 presidential bid, The Independent reported Thursday. The White House and State Department deny it.
Republicans lost both the House and Senate in the midterms.
Up to five Cabinet members may be preparing to leave, sources said.
A Rubio ally said he cannot run while serving as secretary of state.
In September, Rubio said he had no plans at that time to run.
Why it matters: Rubio holds two jobs at once: secretary of state and national security adviser. Sources told The Independent he wants distance from the Iran war before a 2028 primary.
Vance blamed the midterm losses on the war in Iran.
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Political Bias
Coverage by lean% of 12 sources
12 sources · 14 articles · 50% Left coverage
Where they split: Coverage splits on whether the anonymously sourced report is credible, since the White House and State Department dismiss it as baseless.
Center coverage, 3 sources: The center presents an unconfirmed report alongside the administration's strong denial.
Left coverage, 6 sources: The left sees a senior official preparing to leave an administration it describes as weakened by the midterms and the Iran war.
What’s next: White House spokesperson Davis Ingle called the report "baseless, false conspiracy theories." State Department spokesperson Dylan Johnson called it "completely baseless fake news."
Sergio Gor is named as a top contender to replace Rubio.
A Florida operative said Rubio might stay to help oversee change in Cuba.