Rubio Outlines ‘Common Sense’ America First Vision for State Department

Newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio has set a transformative tone for the U.S. State Department, issuing a memo that emphasizes “common sense” and an America First approach to diplomacy. In his first major communication to U.S. diplomatic and consular posts worldwide, Rubio outlined a vision focused on revitalizing alliances, safeguarding national interests, and ending misguided foreign policy priorities.

The memo, obtained by Real Clear Politics, critiques decades of bipartisan leadership for failing to adapt to the realities of reemerging great power rivalries. Rubio, a former U.S. senator from Florida, argued that American diplomacy has suffered from misplaced priorities, stating, “We have misread the world, missed key trends, and lost ground internationally.”

Rubio’s memo highlights several key initiatives for the State Department:

• Strengthening Alliances: Rebuilding ties with allies and countering adversarial actions from nations like China and Russia.

• Energy Dominance: Prioritizing energy independence to enhance U.S. leverage on the global stage.

• Ending Mass Migration: Addressing illegal immigration as “the most consequential issue of our time.”

• Purging Woke Policies: Eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and climate alarmism to focus on pragmatic, results-driven diplomacy.

“The era of mass migration must end,” Rubio wrote, pledging that the department would cease activities that encourage or facilitate illegal immigration.

In a stark departure from the previous administration, Rubio has already banned non-American flags, such as LGBTQ+ and Black Lives Matter banners, from flying on State Department property. The memo criticized such displays, calling them divisive domestically and counterproductive abroad.

“Far too much of America’s diplomacy is focused on pushing political and cultural causes that are divisive at home and deeply unpopular abroad,” Rubio stated. “This creates unnecessary friction with other nations and obstructs our ability to conduct a pragmatic foreign policy.”

Rubio also vowed to purge the State Department of programs that engage in “censorship, suppression, and misinformation.” While committing to combat enemy propaganda, he made it clear that any initiatives that could lead to domestic censorship would be terminated.

Rubio’s early moves signal a shift in how the United States conducts itself on the global stage, prioritizing national interests over ideological agendas. By focusing on core issues such as border security, energy independence, and great power competition, the new secretary of State aims to restore America’s standing abroad while addressing critical challenges at home.

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