The State Department on Thursday pushed back against media reports suggesting Secretary of State Marco Rubio was considering resigning from the Trump administration in the wake of the Democrats' midterm victories, calling the claims a “baseless hoax.”
Reports from outlets including The Independent and Bloomberg alleged that Rubio was mulling his future, potentially to position himself for a 2028 presidential run. The stories cited anonymous sources, which the department sharply criticized.
“This is complete and total fake news based on the word of anonymous sources, befitting a tabloid,” said Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of State for global public affairs, in a statement to The Hill. “The Secretary has not discussed leaving his role and he will continue to proudly serve in President Trump’s administration long after this fake news is revealed as yet another baseless hoax.”
The Independent’s report, which referenced an unnamed “Washington insider,” suggested Rubio should distance himself from the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and that stepping down would be a logical move. The State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for press, Edgar Vasquez, dismissed the story outright: “The Independent story is fake news and not worth the paper it’s written on.” He added, “Rubio is focused on advancing President Trump’s agenda and delivering for the American people.”
Johnson also took to the social platform X to denounce the report, calling it “fake news from made-up anonymous ‘sources.’”
Bloomberg’s piece, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the matter, claimed Rubio and his advisers were weighing options, though no final decision had been made. It also stated that Rubio had spoken with White House officials about stepping down and had been asked to stay.
The denials come amid speculation about the 2028 GOP field, with some analysts suggesting that the midterm results have reshaped the Republican primary landscape. The reports of Rubio’s potential exit had fueled further chatter about his political ambitions.
However, the State Department’s firm rebuttal appears aimed at quashing any notion of internal discord. The quick and categorical denial from multiple officials underscores the administration’s sensitivity to any suggestion of instability within its ranks.
As of now, Rubio has not publicly commented on the reports, but the department’s statements leave little room for ambiguity about his continued tenure.
