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Marco Rubio shuts down NBC host after awkward exchange about his past anti-Trump comments

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Newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with NBC after being pressed about Trump's January 6 pardon rather than foreign policy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with NBC News on Tuesday after becoming President Trump’s first Cabinet pick to be confirmed by the Senate.

Rubio appeared on TV where he was asked by the host about the president’s act of pardoning nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters on his first day in office.

NBC’s Craig Melvin was quick to point out that Rubio, who served in the Senate at the time, called the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol one of the saddest days in the country’s history.

Then four years ago, after the uprising, he played a clip of Rubio denouncing the violence.

“Vladimir Putin loved everything that happened today because what happened is better than anything he could ever think of to make us look like we’re falling apart,” Rubio said at the time.

Melvin asked Rubio what messages pardoning the January 6 rioters are being sent to the rest of the world.

“Well, we’re going to focus on what makes America stronger, more prosperous and more secure,” Rubio responded.

‘I am not going to get involved in domestic political debates. “I cannot fulfill the role at the Foreign Office,” he added.

Newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with NBC after being pressed about Trump’s January 6 pardon rather than foreign policy

Rubio argued that his role is to focus on foreign policy, calling it the simplest policy in modern times.

Melvin denied wanting to talk about foreign policy, but wondered if the mob will be dissatisfied with the U.S. Capitol in the future: “who’s to say they won’t just do it again?”

The newly confirmed top diplomat said he understands, but also fired back.

“I think it’s unfortunate, you know, our first appointment, as I’m meeting with you this morning, I’m going to be working on foreign policy issues, and you want to revisit these issues that are going on in domestic politics. “That’s not going to happen,” Rubio said.

He then suggested that if NBC had any questions about foreign policy, he would be happy to discuss them.

Their back-and-forth came after Rubio, a former Trump critic turned ally, was confirmed as secretary of state shortly after Trump was sworn in in a 99-0 confirmation vote.

Vice President J.D. Vance swears in Marco Rubio as Secretary of State on January 21, 2025 after he was Trump's first Cabinet pick, confirmed by the Senate in a 99-0 vote

Vice President J.D. Vance swears in Marco Rubio as Secretary of State on January 21, 2025 after he was Trump’s first Cabinet pick, confirmed by the Senate in a 99-0 vote

Secretary of State Rubio speaks with State Department officials after being sworn in on Tuesday

Secretary of State Rubio speaks with State Department officials after being sworn in on Tuesday

He was the president’s first cabinet pick to be confirmed in the Senate, as he was seen as a go-between for his former colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

After their testy exchange, the interview shifted to foreign policy, with Rubio asked about the war in Ukraine and whether it was coming to an end.

“I think what the president has made very clear is that the war has to end,” he said.

He said it is US policy to promote peace around the world.

Rubio said the war in Ukraine is a war Russia started and is a complex issue.

“It becomes official policy of the United States that the war must end,” he said. ‘We will do everything we can to achieve that.’

But Rubio said, “Each side is going to have to give something.”

Melvin asked if there were no consequences for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and what message this would send to potential bad actors.

Rubio emphasized that Russia has faced consequences, including “crippling sanctions from around the world.”

He also argued that they have lost tens of thousands of lives, are facing inflation and have not achieved their goal of taking Ukraine.

The Foreign Minister said the current situation is a stalemate, causing enormous damage to Ukraine.

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