In brief
U.S. authorities refuted reports that Rubio intends to resign as secretary of state, citing no confirmation from the White House. Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson described the rumors as fabricated. The Independent’s story, suggesting a step‑down after the 2023 midterms, remains unconfirmed.
U.S. officials on Friday denied reports that Senator Marco Rubio would resign from his role as secretary of state to prepare for a future presidential campaign.
Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson said the rumors were "completely baseless fake news" and that the White House had not confirmed any plans for Rubio to leave his post.
"This is completely baseless fake news from made‑up anonymous 'sources','" Johnson said in a post shared on X.
Johnson described a claim reported by The Independent, which cited unnamed sources saying Rubio might step down after the Republican Party’s losses in the 2024 midterm elections, as a “completely fabricated hoax.”
The Independent article suggested Rubio could use a resignation to distance himself from President Donald Trump’s policies, including the Iran war, and improve his chances in a possible 2028 Republican nomination against Vice President JD Vance.
Neither the White House nor the U.S. State Department has confirmed the report that Rubio will leave office. Officials said the claim remains unverified.
The Independent also said up to five federal agency heads could leave the Trump administration in the near future, but this has not been corroborated by any official source.
U.S. midterm elections held on November 3 elected fifteen senators and all 435 House members, with Democrats expected to secure a majority of seats in both chambers, while Republicans continue to dominate the Senate currently.
