In a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) declined to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments regarding the husband of Republican rival Nikki Haley, who is currently deployed overseas with the National Guard.
Rubio characterized such remarks as part of the typical campaign cycles, acknowledging the increasing nastiness in American politics. During a speech at Coastal Carolina University, Trump questioned the absence of Haley’s husband, suggesting motives other than military service. Major Michael Haley is currently serving an active-duty deployment in the Horn of Africa for the South Carolina Army National Guard.
In response to Trump’s comments, Nikki Haley defended her husband’s service, stating, “If you mock the service of a combat veteran, you don’t deserve a driver’s license, let alone being President of the United States.”
Despite the controversy, Senator Rubio expressed continued support for Trump, emphasizing his opposition to President Joe Biden. When pressed by host Jake Tapper about his past criticism of Trump during the 2016 campaign, Rubio explained that it occurred while he was running for president against Trump.
The interview also delved into Rubio’s stance on recent immigration legislation negotiated by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). Rubio criticized the proposed reforms, claiming they were not tough on border security. The legislation ultimately failed in the Senate, facing a sudden shift in support.
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