The Secretary of State and Attorney General

Piece by Adelaide Baran

Photo: University of Miami News

The roles of Secretary of State and Attorney General of the United States are very important and essential to the operation of the government. More than that, the people who are chosen for those roles can make or break the administration’s agenda. The U.S. Secretary of State is the head of the Department of State and the chief foreign affairs advisor to the President. They oversee U.S. diplomacy, negotiate treaties, manage relations with other countries, and represent the U.S. in international organizations. They also work on issues like trade, human rights, and national security. The U.S. Attorney General is the head of the Department of Justice and the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. They oversee federal prosecutors, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies, enforce federal laws, represent the U.S. in legal matters, and provide legal advice to the President and executive agencies.

Trump chose Senator Marco Rubio for the role of Secretary of State of the United States. Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants and is a Catholic, though he was baptized in the Church of Latter Day States (Mormonism). In his first Senate campaign, he emphasized his Cuban heritage and his working class background. Rubio began by studying law, and during his time, he interned for various politicians and worked on Bob Dole’s presidential campaign of 1996. In late 1999, a special election was called for a safe Republican seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Rubio needed to win the GOP nomination, so he campaigned as a moderate, with an emphasis on tax cuts and early childhood education. Rubio placed second in the GOP nomination, but won the runoff election. In November of 2000, he was reelected unopposed. He served four terms in that role. In 2009, Rubio stated his intent to run for US Senate, and was elected in 2010. In 2015, Rubio decided to run for president instead of seeking reelection, but later suspended that campaign and decided to run for reelection in the Senate. Rubio won that election and then won a following election. Rubio ran for president in 2016, but ended up dropping out during the primaries. Marco Rubio has consistently positioned himself as a staunch conservative on key political issues, particularly on social and economic matters.

Rubio is firmly anti-abortion, opposing exceptions in most cases except when the mother's life is at risk. He has supported numerous anti-abortion bills, including efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and federal restrictions on abortion after 20 weeks. He has praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, arguing that states should have the power to regulate abortion laws. Rubio has been a strong supporter of gun rights and the Second Amendment, opposing most forms of gun control. While he has backed some limited measures, such as improving background checks after the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida, he has largely resisted broader gun restrictions, including bans on assault weapons. He has received significant support from the NRA and has argued that addressing mental health and enforcing existing laws are more effective solutions than imposing stricter gun laws. While Rubio acknowledges that climate change is real and partly influenced by human activity, he has consistently opposed aggressive federal climate policies. He has argued that policies such as the Green New Deal and strict emissions regulations would harm the U.S. economy and disproportionately impact American workers. Instead, he advocates for market-driven solutions and investment in technological innovation to address environmental challenges. Given Florida’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and hurricanes, he has supported funding for disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. Rubio was a key figure in the 2013 bipartisan "Gang of Eight" immigration reform bill, which included a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. However, he later distanced himself from the plan after facing backlash from conservative voters. In recent years, he has taken a harder stance on border security, opposing amnesty and supporting stronger immigration enforcement, though he has expressed support for protections for DACA recipients. Rubio has been a strong advocate for a hawkish U.S. foreign policy, particularly in opposing adversaries like China, Russia, and Venezuela. He has called for tough economic sanctions against authoritarian regimes and has supported military aid to Ukraine and Taiwan. He was a vocal critic of President Obama's rapprochement with Cuba and has pushed for policies aimed at pressuring the Cuban government. Rubio has championed tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-business policies, supporting the 2017 Republican tax reform bill. However, he has also advocated for policies that assist working-class families, such as expanding the child tax credit, distinguishing himself from more traditional free-market conservatives. He has been a strong opponent of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and has supported efforts to repeal it. Rubio has advocated for a market-based approach to healthcare, including expanding Health Savings Accounts and reducing government intervention in the healthcare system.

Regarding Donald Trump, Rubio was initially a fierce critic during the 2016 Republican primary, calling Trump unfit for office and engaging in personal attacks. However, after Trump won the nomination, Rubio endorsed him and later aligned with many of his policies. While he has occasionally voiced concerns about Trump’s rhetoric and conduct, he has largely defended Trump during controversies, including impeachment trials. In recent years, Rubio has positioned himself as a pragmatic Republican who supports many of Trump’s policies while maintaining some degree of independence, particularly on foreign policy and economic issues.

For the role of Attorney General of the United States, Trump originally picked Matt Gaetz. Former Representative Matt Gaetz's nomination for U.S. Attorney General faced significant challenges due to multiple allegations and ongoing investigations. Reports surfaced accusing Gaetz of engaging in illicit drug use and sexual misconduct, including allegations of sex trafficking. These claims led to a House Ethics Committee investigation, which, although not resulting in formal charges, cast a shadow over his suitability for the nation's top law enforcement position. Facing bipartisan concern and pressure, Gaetz withdrew his nomination, acknowledging that his confirmation had become a distraction to President Trump's transition efforts. 

Following Gaetz's withdrawal, President Trump nominated Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General, for the role. Bondi's political positions are characterized by her conservative stance on various issues: Bondi has advocated for stringent law enforcement policies, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law. As Attorney General, she prioritized combating human trafficking and prescription drug abuse. During her tenure in Florida, Bondi focused on consumer protection, leading efforts against fraudulent business practices and advocating for transparency in charitable organizations. Bondi was among the state attorneys general who challenged the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, reflecting her opposition to federal healthcare mandates. She has expressed support for Second Amendment rights, opposing certain gun control measures and emphasizing individual gun ownership for self-defense. Bondi has aligned with conservative positions on immigration, supporting stricter enforcement policies and expressing opposition to sanctuary cities. Bondi's close ties to President Trump have been both a strength and a point of scrutiny. She served as a special advisor in the White House Counsel's Office during Trump's first impeachment proceedings and has been a vocal defender of his policies. During her Senate confirmation hearings, Bondi assured lawmakers that she would not politicize the Justice Department, though she did not rule out potential investigations into individuals associated with the prior administration. 

As Attorney General, Bondi has continued to champion conservative legal principles. She has called for the removal of judges she perceives as obstructing the administration's agenda, arguing that certain judicial decisions have overstepped authority and hindered executive actions. Additionally, Bondi has issued warnings to lawmakers critical of key administration figures, emphasizing the importance of respecting legal boundaries in political discourse. 

In conclusion, Donald Trump's picks for Attorney General and Secretary of State signal his continued commitment to a strong conservative agenda while maintaining a firm grip on key positions within his administration. Pam Bondi, nominated for Attorney General, brings with her a staunch law-and-order approach and a history of aligning with Trump’s political priorities, particularly on issues like immigration and consumer protection. Her track record and deep ties to the Trump administration suggest she will continue to advocate for conservative legal principles and policies, shaping the Department of Justice in ways that reflect the president's values.

Meanwhile, Trump’s choice for Secretary of State is poised to reinforce his "America First" foreign policy, emphasizing national sovereignty and tough stances against adversaries like China and Iran. Both picks align with Trump's broader vision of strengthening U.S. domestic policies, reducing reliance on international agreements, and ensuring that his administration's core values continue to influence key institutions. Together, these nominations demonstrate Trump’s ongoing effort to reshape the government with figures who reflect his personal and political priorities, ensuring his vision endures throughout his term.