"It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State," Trump said in a prepared statement. "Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom.

A week after Election Day, Trump said: "It is my great honor to announce Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is hereby nominated to be US Secretary of State."

The president-elect said Senator Rubio would 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.”