Secretary of State Marco Rubio Got Riled Up by NBC’s “Today” Show Hosts Over Trump’s January 6 Pardons
Following a brief introduction, NBC’s “Today” show played a 2021 clip of Rubio condemning the January 6 attack on the Capitol, saying, “Vladimir Putin loved everything that happened here today because what happened is better than anything he could have ever come up with to make us look like we’re falling apart.”
When the video ended, host Craig Melvin asked Rubio what message the pardons sent to the rest of the world. Rubio refused to “engage in domestic political debates” with the media, stating that he would not discuss domestic politics in his role as the head of the State Department.
“I hope you guys all understand that my days – at least in the time at the Department of State – of engaging in domestic politics will be put aside as I focus on the affairs the United States has around the world and the engagements we have to have to make our country a safer, stronger, more prosperous place,” he said.
Melvin pressed Rubio again on the pardons, suggesting that they may give former defendants a reason to foment a future attack. Rubio replied, “I think it’s unfortunate, you know, our first engagement as I agree to come on this morning with you. I’m going to be working on foreign policy issues, and you want to revisit these issues that are going on in domestic politics. I’m just – it’s not going to happen. If you have questions for me about foreign policy and engaging in the world, I’d be happy to talk to you about those.”
Rubio maintained his focus on foreign policy, reiterating his commitment to prioritizing international issues on other media outlets, including “CBS Mornings” and “ABC’s Good Morning America.”