Tallahassee Democrat
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott
December 11, 2024

On November 5^th, after months of Democrats claiming Florida was still a swing state and in play, the voters painted the state red and delivered massive victories for myself, President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans down the ballot.

Now, with President-elect Trump choosing nominee after nominee from the Sunshine State to fill his cabinet, he is cementing Florida at the epicenter of Republican politics and bringing the state’s success and common-sense policies to Washington.

I am so proud of our next White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and next National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and look forward to enthusiastically voting to confirm my fellow Floridians Marco Rubio, as Secretary of State, and Pam Bondi, as Attorney General.

This list of Florida Republican all-stars is ready to get to work turning this country around, advancing the American people’s mandate, solving problems created by the Biden administration on Day 1, and bringing Florida’s success to Washington.

Florida has truly become the heart and soul of the Republican Party, and President-elect Trump, now proudly a Florida resident himself, is smartly pulling talent from our state to Make Washington Florida and it all started with a true all-star Floridian, Susie Wiles.

I’ve known Wiles for 14 years. She ran my first campaign for governor in 2010 when I was an unknown outsider and business guy fighting to turn Florida’s economy around. She is disciplined, whip smart, a brilliant tactician, and knows how to manage a team like a well-oiled machine.

Wiles ran a fantastic campaign for President-elect Trump and is the perfect person for the job to run the White House staff and make sure that the entire federal government is aligned behind his agenda to Make America Great Again.

While I will miss my friend in the U.S. Senate, I can think of no one more qualified to be our next Secretary of State than Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio understands foreign affairs, and especially Latin America, better than anyone. He has a lifetime of personal and professional experience, including his membership on both the Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committees, which will provide the president with excellent guidance as he tackles issues on the world stage.

President-elect Trump already has a successful record of standing with Israel and our allies around the world, being a champion for freedom and democracy in Latin America, and being tough on Communist China, Russia and Iran to make sure America’s interests came first.

With Rubio leading President Trump’s State Department, the United States will quickly reverse Joe Biden’s dangerous appeasement policies, reinforce critical sanctions on murderous regimes and make clear to our enemies and allies alike around the world that America will always stand for freedom, democracy and human rights.

For Attorney General, Trump couldn’t have a better leader than Pam Bondi, who is so qualified that liberals are losing their minds that she will end Democrats’ political lawfare and crack down on the real criminals plaguing our communities.

I worked alongside Bondi for eight years when I was governor of Florida and she was Florida’s Attorney General to keep Florida safe and uphold the laws of our state. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing a public trust crisis after Democrats have spent years weaponizing the justice system and entire government and attacking President Trump. Bondi will fix that.

Under her leadership, Americans will once again be able to trust that the DOJ will actually fairly enforce the laws, protect the rights of the American people and keep our nation safe and crack down on violent crimes, dangerous drugs and help secure America’s borders.

President Trump also chose wisely with Floridian and future National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. As a combat-decorated Green Beret, Waltz is a true patriot who has dedicated his life to serving his country. I’ve been honored to work alongside him in Congress to fight for Florida families on issues like border security and ensuring a freer and more democratic Western Hemisphere, and I know that as our National Security Advisor, he will work tirelessly to keep our country safe and put America first.

Trump won with a mandate from voters and it’s no surprise that he is looking to Florida, the heart and soul of the modern Republican Party to fill his administration. With these brilliant Floridians leading the way, Trump’s agenda to Make America Great Again is in trusted and experienced hands.

Now, Senate Republicans must do our job by confirming these great Floridians and all his nominees swiftly to get the president-elect’s agenda done for the American people.

Time to get to work!

Republican Rick Scott represents Florida in the United States Senate. He is the former Governor of Florida.