Challenges Faced by Marco Rubio: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Marco Rubio faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Marco Rubio is an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator for Florida from 2011 to 2025. He ran as a candidate in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. Currently, he is the 72nd United States Secretary of State since 2025. During his time as secretary, he has also been the acting administrator of USAID and acting archivist of the United States. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1962: Grandfather Fled Cuba and Detained

In 1962, Marco Rubio's maternal grandfather fled communist Cuba and returned to the U.S. without a visa, and was detained as an undocumented immigrant.

January 2007: Charlie Crist Takes Office and Clashes with Rubio

In January 2007, Charlie Crist succeeded Jeb Bush as governor of Florida. Rubio and Crist clashed frequently, especially over Crist's initiative to expand casino gambling in Florida. Rubio sued Crist for bypassing the Florida Legislature, and the Florida Supreme Court sided with Rubio, blocking the deal.

2010: Issues Raised About Rubio's American Express Card Charges

In 2010, during Rubio's Senate campaign, issues were raised by the media and political opponents about some items charged to his Republican Party of Florida American Express card during his time as House speaker.

2011: Rubio Votes Against Budget Control Act of 2011

In 2011, Rubio voted against the Budget Control Act of 2011, which included mandatory automatic budget cuts from sequestration, calling the policy a "terrible idea".

2012: Rubio Votes Against 'Fiscal Cliff' Resolutions

In 2012, Rubio voted against the "fiscal cliff" resolutions, arguing it would force small businesses to fire employees and cut back hours and benefits.

April 2013: Voted against expansion of background checks for gun purchases

In April 2013, Marco Rubio voted against an expansion of background checks for gun purchases, arguing that increased regulatory measures would not effectively capture criminals.

2013: Rubio's Support for Immigration Reform Leads to Decline in Tea Party Support

In 2013, Rubio's support for comprehensive immigration reform legislation led to a decline in support from the Tea Party.

April 18, 2014: Dropped to 10th place in New Hampshire primary voters' sentiment

On April 18, 2014, Marco Rubio dropped to 10th place in a WMUR/University poll tracking New Hampshire's Republican primary voters' sentiment.

November 2014: Pushed for the elimination of "risk corridors" under the Affordable Care Act

In November 2014, following the Republican takeover of the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio advocated for the elimination of the 'risk corridors' within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which were designed to compensate insurers for losses. His efforts led to a provision in the 2014 federal budget that restricted the use of other funding sources to replenish these risk corridors.

November 2015: Rubio Releases Party Credit Card Statements

In November 2015, during his presidential campaign, Rubio released his party credit card statements from January 2005 through October 2006, showing personal charges totaling $7,243.74, which he had reimbursed.

February 6, 2016: Criticized by Chris Christie for speaking repetitively

During a nationally televised debate among Republican candidates in New Hampshire on February 6, 2016, Chris Christie criticized Marco Rubio for speaking repetitively, stating Rubio sounded 'scripted'.

February 2016: Rubio Criticizes Trump

In February 2016, during the Republican primary campaign, Marco Rubio criticized Donald Trump, calling him a "con artist" and stating he was "wholly unprepared to be president of the United States."

March 15, 2016: Suspended Presidential Campaign

On March 15, 2016, Marco Rubio suspended his campaign for the presidency after losing to Donald Trump in the Florida Republican primary, and then ran for reelection to the Senate and won a second term.

March 2016: Rubio Opposed Obama's Supreme Court Nomination

In March 2016, Marco Rubio opposed President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, stating that a nominee should not be considered in the last year of a president's term.

June 2016: Rubio Reaffirms Criticism of Trump

In June 2016, after Donald Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee, Marco Rubio reaffirmed his February 2016 comments, stating that we must not hand "the nuclear codes of the United States to an erratic individual".

2016: Rubio and Trump's Contentious Relationship During 2016 Primaries

During the Republican primaries in the 2016 presidential election, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump harshly criticized each other.

2016: Advocated for gathering information from captured terrorists

In 2016, Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. should extract all possible information from captured terrorists and avoid disclosing interrogation techniques to the enemy.

September 2017: Defended Trump's decision to rescind DACA

In September 2017, Marco Rubio defended President Trump's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, calling it 'unconstitutional'.

2018: Rubio Rejects Bipartisan Immigration Reform Efforts

In 2018, Marco Rubio developed more hardline views on immigration, rejecting bipartisan immigration reform efforts.

2019: Defended Trump's decision to host G7 summit at Trump National Doral Miami

In 2019, Marco Rubio defended President Trump's decision to host the 46th G7 summit at the Trump National Doral Miami, a resort owned by Trump, stating it would be beneficial for local businesses.

April 2020: Supreme Court Rejects Rubio's Attempt to Stop Obamacare

In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 8–1 to defeat Marco Rubio's attempt to stop the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").

July 13, 2020: Sanctioned by Chinese government for condemning human rights abuses

On July 13, 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Marco Rubio and three other U.S. politicians for "interfering in China's internal affairs" by condemning human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Rubio responded with a tweet.

August 10, 2020: Sanctioned by Chinese government for behavior on Hong Kong issues

On August 10, 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Marco Rubio and 10 other Americans for "behaving badly on Hong Kong-related issues".

2020: China Sanctions Rubio

In 2020, China sanctioned Marco Rubio and banned him from traveling to the country for his support for Hong Kong's democracy movement.

2020: Sanctioned by Chinese Government

In 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Marco Rubio twice, banning him from entering China, due to his hawkish stance on China and the Chinese Communist Party.

January 22, 2025: Rubio Freezes Passport Applications with 'X' Sex Markers

On January 22, 2025, Marco Rubio instructed State Department staff to freeze passport applications that requested "X" sex markers, in compliance with Executive Order 14168. This move created widespread confusion.

January 24, 2025: Rubio Enacts Freeze on U.S. Foreign Aid

On January 24, 2025, Marco Rubio enacted a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid, with some exceptions, effective January 28, following President Trump's executive order. This action shut down many of USAID's programs worldwide.

March 7, 2025: Rubio Clashes with Elon Musk

On March 7, 2025, it was reported that Marco Rubio had clashed with Elon Musk during a White House cabinet meeting. Musk criticized Rubio for not firing anyone in the State Department, and Rubio was angered by Musk's dismantling of USAID.