US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday dismissed reports suggesting he plans to leave the administration of Donald Trump following the Republicans' sweeping defeat in the midterm elections.
During an interview with The New York Times, Rubio said it had always been his intention to continue serving in the Trump administration until the end of its term.
Rubio, who serves as both Secretary of State and national security adviser, is widely viewed as a potential contender to succeed Trump in the 2028 presidential election.
Just days before the midterms, Rubio appeared alongside Trump and briefly addressed supporters during a campaign rally.
Declines to discuss 2028 ambitions
Asked about his political future, Rubio declined to discuss any presidential ambitions.
"I'm not going to talk about 2028 anymore," he said.
Responding to reports suggesting he was considering leaving the administration, Rubio added:
"I don't know where these reports came from, to be honest."
Bloomberg report sparks speculation
Earlier on Thursday, Bloomberg reported that Rubio was weighing whether to leave the administration in order to pursue a presidential campaign, although it said no decision had been made.
According to the report, Rubio had discussed the possibility with other White House officials, who encouraged him to remain in government.
The report was firmly rejected by Dylan Johnson, the deputy secretary responsible for public diplomacy, who described it as entirely fabricated.
Backing for Vance
Rubio has repeatedly stated, including in his latest comments to the New York Times, that he would support a presidential bid by Vice President JD Vance, whom he described as a "very good friend", should Vance decide to run.
For now, many political observers regard Vance as the leading potential successor to Trump within the Republican Party.
Source: ANA-MPA / The New York Times / Bloomberg
