US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated traditional hawk Marco Rubio as secretary of state and contrarian non-interventionist Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief, setting a showdown on his administration's direction. Trump went ahead with the nomination of Rubio, which had been reported for days, despite pushback from some supporters including those close to Gabbard, who before the election had described the senator as part of the "neocon warmongering establishment." Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants to Miami and vociferous opponent of Latin American communists, China and Iran, would be the first Hispanic as the top US diplomat, generally considered the most prestigious cabinet post.
Trump, who clashed bitterly with Rubio for the presidential nomination in 2016, said in a statement nominating him: "Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom." "He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said. Rubio said in a statement that he will work with Trump "every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda.
" "Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else," Rubio said in a statement. Rubio, 53, once seen as a moderate Republican who backed a more humane immigration system, has made clear he will stay in line with Trump, who has vowed unp.