WASHINGTON, November 5. /TASS/. The US administration has denied reports that Marco Rubio may soon step down as secretary of state and national security advisor to the president to begin preparing for a run in the next presidential election.
"This is completely baseless fake news from made-up anonymous 'sources,'" US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Press Dylan Johnson wrote on his X page. He also serves as a special assistant to the US president and deputy White House communications director. Johnson described The Independent article, which cited sources and reported that Rubio was expected to leave government service soon, as a "completely fabricated hoax." This is "yet another humiliating own goal by The Independent," the official added.
Meanwhile, according to the newspaper, Rubio may step down following the ruling Republican Party’s defeat in the US midterm elections. The publication said Rubio needs to distance himself from the policies of incumbent US President Donald Trump, including the war in Iran. The newspaper suggested that this could improve his chances of competing with Vice President JD Vance for the Republican nomination for president in 2028.
According to The Independent, up to five heads of federal agencies in total may leave the Trump administration in the near future. The White House and the US State Department have not confirmed these reports.
The US held midterm elections on November 3. Americans elected 35 of the 100 senators and all 435 members of the House of Representatives. Gubernatorial elections were also held in 36 states. According to the latest estimates by US media, Democrats are winning a majority of seats in both chambers of the new Congress. Republicans currently hold majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives.