Marco Rubio Named Permanent National Security Advisor in Historic US Power Consolidation
US President Donald Trump has permanently appointed Marco Rubio as National Security Advisor alongside his role as Secretary of State, making him only the second figure in US history after Henry Kissinger to hold both critical foreign policy posts simultaneously.
In a historic move reshaping the upper echelons of American governance, US President Donald Trump has signed a formal appointment making Marco Rubio’s tenure as National Security Advisor permanent, following a temporary stint of roughly 16 months. Rubio thus becomes only the second person in American history—following Henry Kissinger in the 1970s—to simultaneously hold the two central power hubs of foreign policy and national security.
Consolidation of Power and Diplomacy
According to a Fox News report, verified by three official sources within the State Department, the White House, and the administration, Trump cemented the status of Rubio, who began filling the role in May 2025 succeeding Mike Waltz. This dual capacity grants Rubio absolute leverage: on one hand, leading the entire diplomatic apparatus as Secretary of State; on the other, managing the National Security Council and retaining a direct, daily line to the Oval Office for every strategic decision.
Rubio recently described his additional hat as the president’s coordinating arm. Citing the handling of the Iranian issue as an example—a complex matter simultaneously involving the Treasury Department, Department of Energy, State Department, defense establishment, and the White House—he noted his role as National Security Advisor is to harness all bodies, ensure they "push and pull in the same direction," and translate presidential directives into unified policy on the ground.
"My role is to harness all bodies, ensure they push and pull in the same direction, and translate the president's directives into a unified policy on the ground."
A Historical Precedent from the Kissinger Era
Such a consolidation of powers occurred only once before, when Henry Kissinger was appointed National Security Advisor in 1969 under President Richard Nixon, and later sworn in as Secretary of State in 1973—a step that granted him immense influence in the midst of the Cold War and during the Yom Kippur War. Now, Rubio replicates this model, cementing his stature as a unique node of knowledge and decision-making in the current administration.
The appointment comes against the backdrop of a series of additional roles assigned to him by Trump since taking office, including the de facto management of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and serving as acting US Archivist. This multiplicity of hats sparked viral online memes depicting him as a pilot, a White House beekeeper, or a horse racer. Behind the humor, however, lies tangible concentration of power: Rubio holds unparalleled influence at every junction where policy and security decisions are made in the world's leading superpower.
Streamlining the Chain of Command
Trump’s decision to permanently anchor Rubio’s dual role reflects deep personal trust, alongside a desire to streamline and shorten the security chain of command. Previous administrations frequently witnessed bitter friction and rivalries between the Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor over proximity to the president and differing approaches.
By unifying these positions under Rubio, Trump preemptively thwarts internal power struggles and ensures that the diplomatic and hawkish line is managed by a single authority. As the administration grapples with simultaneous burning arenas—chiefly delicate talks with Tehran, commercial and geopolitical disputes with China, and conflict in Europe—Marco Rubio emerges as the most influential figure on US national security since the 1970s.
