Marco Rubio is confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of State

The Senate on Monday confirmed Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, as the 72nd US secretary of state, placing a former political rival of President Trump at the head of US diplomacy.

Mr. Rubio, 53, was unanimously confirmed by a 99-0 vote, becoming the first Latino to hold the post and Mr. Trump’s first cabinet secretary to be confirmed.

In his final act as a sitting senator, Mr. Rubio cast his vote for himself, giving Senate clerks a thumbs-up while his colleagues in both parties applauded.

Mr. Rubio’s mainstream views and friendly relationship with Democrats paved the way for the unanimous vote. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, previously said that while he disagreed with many of Mr. Rubio’s positions, “it is important that the new administration has a Senate confirming its secretary of state.” State as soon as possible, so I will vote yes.” .” All Senate Democrats followed suit.

As he replaces Antony J. Blinken in the post, Mr. Rubio faces a daunting list of foreign policy tests. These include the war in Ukraine, a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and, in what Mr. Rubio calls the defining challenge of the century, China’s global ambitions.

But his biggest obstacle may be managing his relationship with Mr. Trump, whose temperament and worldview are very different from his own. During three terms as a senator, Mr. Rubio was known for his hawkish foreign policy views, with a strong emphasis on human rights. Mr. Trump is skeptical of foreign entanglements and takes a transactional approach to the world.