Trump's first Cabinet official, Rubio, unanimously confirmed as secretary of State

On Monday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as the 72nd secretary of State of the United States, thereby establishing the first member of President Trump's Cabinet on the day of his inauguration.

Rubio was confirmed with a unanimous 99-0 vote, which was overwhelmingly bipartisan. Additionally, Rubio was permitted to vote for himself, as The Washington Examiner reported.

“No one on this body can doubt that Marco Rubio is an intelligent man with remarkable understanding of American foreign policy and a very deep commitment to the American dream,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in remarks on the Senate floor.

Ashley Moody, the Attorney General of Florida, will assume Rubio's Senate seat.

Rubio's Background

Rubio is the first Latino American to hold the position of top diplomat, having been born to Cuban immigrants.

Rubio, a 14-year Senate veteran and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, was nominated as secretary of State. This nomination caused relief among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and America's allies abroad, who were concerned about Trump's unpredictable and foreign policy patterns.

Rubio, along with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), co-sponsored legislation that would prevent any president from withdrawing from NATO. This action was perceived as a protective measure for America's position in the alliance in response to Trump's threats to withdraw the U.S.

However, it is not anticipated that Rubio will serve as an obstacle to Trump's foreign policy objectives.

Plans for International Relations

Over the past few weeks, the new president has expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, make Canada the 51st state, and take over the Panama Canal.

“The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory,” Trump said during his inauguration address.

In his speech, he identified the retaking of control of the Panama Canal as a critical measure to counteract China's influence in the strategic waterway.

Panama's president has denied that the canal is subject to foreign influence.