Washington, DC [US]: On his first day as US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio met with his Quad counterparts—India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong—at the US Department of State.
The Quad, a diplomatic partnership among India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, is dedicated to fostering an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
The foreign ministers, in Washington to attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration, posed with Rubio in front of their respective national flags before beginning their discussions.
Welcome to the State Department, Secretary Rubio. pic.twitter.com/m5QC51boFV
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 21, 2025
Earlier in the day, US Vice President JD Vance officially swore in Rubio as the nation’s Secretary of State. The White House confirmed the appointment on its social media platform, X, stating: “Congratulations to Marco Rubio on his unanimous confirmation as Secretary of State—the first in President Trump’s Cabinet. America is back and entering a golden age.”
Congratulations to my friend Marco Rubio on being sworn-in as our next U.S. Secretary of State! pic.twitter.com/SmHp2vb8f2
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) January 21, 2025
Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, grew up witnessing his parents’ hard work and determination. His father worked as a banquet bartender, while his mother juggled multiple roles as a factory worker, cashier, and hotel maid. Inspired by his grandfather’s experiences and the devastation caused by communism in Cuba, Rubio entered public service.
Rubio served 14 years in the US Senate, where he championed freedom and opportunities. He also traveled extensively, meeting foreign leaders and engaging in global diplomacy.
On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath, while JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th Vice President earlier in the day.
In his inaugural address, President Trump declared the beginning of America’s “golden age” and proclaimed the day as “Liberation Day” for the country. He reiterated his focus on tackling inflation and his commitment to energy independence with his “drill baby drill” slogan, promising a revival of oil drilling in the US.