Jan. 15 (UPI) — Donald Trump‘s former primary opponent Sen. Marco Rubio is meeting with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday as the president-elect’s secretary of state nominee.
Rubio, who was a co-writer on the 2023 bill that prevents a president from withdrawing the United States from NATO, told the committee that he remains supportive of the bill despite Trump’s desire to withdraw. He also supports NATO as a whole and says Trump does, as well.
Trump has been critical of the U.S. NATO agreement, calling on other members to invest more in their defensive capabilities. Rubio shared a similar position on Wednesday.
“It’s important we have alliances but we have to have alliances with strong and capable partners,” Rubio said. “It’s tough to say I’m not supportive of a law I helped to pass. But power of the purse still resides with Congress.”
The senator echoed Trump’s sentiments about Europe bolstering its security capabilities, as well. He continued to insist that alliances are important but reiterated that the United States must have “strong” allies.
Rubio staked his position on wars in Ukraine and the Middle East throughout the hours-long hearing. The hearing is ongoing as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire.
The confirmation hearing began on Capitol Hill at 10 a.m. EST. Rubio, R-Fla., has served in the Senate since 2011.
The senator responded to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its position that Israel is violating international criminal law in its war with Hamas. Rubio said the court has damaged its credibility in bringing forth the indictment.
The International Criminal Court has also indicted the leaders of Hamas.
“This is a trial run to see, ‘can we go after a head of state from a nation that is not a member?'” Rubio said. “If we can go after them and we can get it done with regards to Israel they will apply that to the United States at some point.”
The court has the authority to exercise jurisdiction over member states or in instances when war crimes are allegedly committed against member states. It has recognized the State of Palestine as a member since January 2015. The United States and Israel are not among the 125 members of the International Criminal Court.
He referred to the deaths of civilians in Gaza as “one of the terrible things about war.” He blamed Hamas, using civilians as human shields, for the deaths of civilians.
“How can any nation state on the planet coexist with a group of savages like Hamas?” Rubio asked. “They have to defend their national security and their national interests. They didn’t target citizens. One of the terrible things about war is that innocent people are caught up in it.”
The 53 year old’s nomination has not faced the backlash of some of Trump’s other Cabinet picks. He serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“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 on social media when announcing Rubio’s nomination.
If confirmed, Rubio, a Cuban American, would be the first Latino person to hold the office of secretary of state.
“Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility and I am honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me,” Rubio said in a statement. “Under the leadership of President Trump we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interest of Americans and America above all else.”
While Rubio appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Trump’s pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, will be questioned by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.