President Donald Trump formally appoints Secretary of State Marco Rubio as national security adviser in September 2026, making Rubio only the second person in U.S. history to hold both positions simultaneously after Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. Rubio had served in the national security adviser role on an interim basis since May 2025, when he replaced Michael Waltz. The appointment consolidates foreign policy power under a single official who manages the National Security Council process and serves as Trump's direct line on national security matters. Rubio has accumulated multiple acting roles in the administration, including USAID administrator and archivist of the United States, prompting viral memes from critics and allies showing doctored photos of him in various fictional government positions.
Rubio dual national security role
- ▪Marco Rubio held the national security adviser role on an interim basis since May 2025.
- ▪Marco Rubio will continue to manage the National Security Council process.
- ▪Marco Rubio is the second person in U.S. history to simultaneously serve as secretary of state and national security adviser.
- ▪President Donald Trump signed a commission formally making Marco Rubio his national security adviser.
- ▪Marco Rubio replaced Michael Waltz as national security adviser in May 2025.
- ▪Marco Rubio serves as a direct line to President Donald Trump on national security matters.
Historical precedent under Nixon
- ▪Henry Kissinger became President Richard Nixon's national security adviser in 1969.
- ▪Henry Kissinger held both the secretary of state and national security adviser posts under President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.
- ▪Henry Kissinger was sworn in as secretary of state in 1973.
Unified Trump foreign policy approach
- ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration team operates with no drama and no games.
- ▪The article was published on September 22, 2026.
- ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that everyone in the Trump administration is aligned behind President Donald Trump.
Rubio's multiple administration posts
- ▪President Donald Trump tapped Marco Rubio to serve as U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) acting administrator shortly after being sworn in at the State Department.
- ▪Marco Rubio held the post of acting archivist of the United States from February to December 2025.
- ▪Marco Rubio was tapped to serve as acting archivist of the United States.
Viral meme phenomenon
- ▪Critics and allies of the Trump administration share viral memes showing doctored photos of Marco Rubio sitting in the Oval Office wearing various outfits to fit new job roles.
- ▪Photos have circulated of Marco Rubio as a Spirit Airlines pilot.
- ▪Photos have circulated of Marco Rubio as a Kentucky Derby jockey.
- ▪Photos have circulated of Marco Rubio as a White House beekeeper.
Debatable claims
- ▪Rubio should not simultaneously serve as secretary of state and national security adviser
- ▪Trump's unified foreign policy approach with no internal dissent is effective governance
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