If you look at the structure of the announcements, there does appear to be a strategy at play; yes, including the likelihood of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Using the announcement of Steven C. Witkoff to be Special Envoy to the Middle East, I’ll try to put it together.
If President Trump pulls Marco Rubio out of the Senate, he opens up the position of Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI). Rubio would love the opportunity to load his presidential aspiration resume with Secretary of State, for later use. However, this also opens the opportunity for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint an interim senator who would be more MAGA-minded, trustworthy and loyal (dare I say Gaetz).
With Rubio removed from the equation of the IC problem, the issue becomes mitigating (think neutering) the Secretary of State from undermining the Trump Doctrine; which, as you know, is the key Trump foreign policy approach using economic power combined with diplomacy.
President Trump has long expressed being sick and tired of U.S. mid-east policy, endless wars, endless spending etc. President Trump in term-1 created the Abraham Accords to establish long-term peace and stability in the region, as a countermeasure to all the prior administrations stirring shit up there. Essentially, the Abraham Accords create peace, get us out and allow policy to focus on more pressing foreign concerns, vis-a-vis China.
President Trump constrains Rubio in the mid-east by putting Steven C. Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East. Essentially, neutering any intervention that might be launched by the IC agenda supported by the neocon wing of Rubio. Trump does this directly from the White House.
That puts Rubio’s role as Secretary of State focused on Europe and Asia, both regions where President Trump has already outlined the benefits of the Trump Doctrine in creating a peace deal in Ukraine and economically neutering Chinese aggression (like he did in North Korea).
While many of us do not like the thought of Rubio as Secretary of State, the value in removing Rubio from the SSCI is quite significant.
While the Rubio announcement has not been officially made, the likelihood of it increases with this appointment of Steven C. Witkoff to be Special Envoy to the Middle East. It just makes sense.
Secretary Rubio becomes the Maître d’ to a newly branded restaurant with a private dining room he is not permitted to enter. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe is the new chef in the back of the house, changing the menu and charting a new, fresher culinary experience. It becomes likely everyone gets the same menu and experience now.
I can find cautious optimism in this strategy. Frankly, getting Rubio out of the Chair position is a pretty big deal.
You are all overthinking it. It’s simple: follow the money. The Musk project will eclipse all of these appointments. Trump isn’t looking for turf protectors. He’s looking for people that help facilitate the stream lining of government. It’s the only choice going forward. Either we suffer massive financial restraint or we prune ourselves for a hopefully vibrant future. The piper is asking for his pay. We all have a lot of sucking up to do. There’s no easy way out.
Either or?
I’m not convinced Elon sees the need to change the business model of DC (the economy of the restaurant).
His history has a lot of baggage that convinces me otherwise.
Also has a history of cutting 80% of the jobs at Twitter/X.
which makes little sense
Trump isn’t doing “one thing” and certainly not “one thing at a time.” The news from the Trump side is FLOODING and overwhelming the news media. They can’t cover it all and they can’t even pick “the worst ones” because there’s even too many of those.
The term “blitzkrieg” comes to mind.
Trump made deals across the world which were quickly discarded when the crimes of 2020 happened. Trump is officially back (though let’s be real, does anyone think the counting of the electoral votes will go well? Look who is VP? And the law passed by congress is completely unconstitutional — they know it… and will refuse to apply it on that basis) Who thinks the globalists will simply give up?
Trump’s prior deals seem to be coming back to life as if by magic though. It’s hard to really predict what will actually happen, but it would be foolish not to be ready for whatever they will try. McConnell ALREADY showing is arse to Trump is a very clear message.
Was it SD or another treeper who outlined the process of cancelling our debt with Japan to reduce our national debt? @adrem, maybe you can comment on this?
You’ve painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadows on the wall tell me the sun is going down
Oh Rubio, don’t take your love to town
It wasn’t me that started that old crazy Ukraine war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And yes, it’s true that I’m not the man I used to be
Oh Rubeeeyo, I still need some company
So, if Rubio goes to Foggy Bottom and DeSantis appoints Gaetz to finish his term, do the Republicans still have enough of a majority in the House to accomplish President Trump’s goals in 2025? I am not being sarcastic – I really do not understand HOW all of these House members can be pulled into the Administration without jeopardizing the exceptionally narrow majority that we currently hold -especially considering that there are at least two or three seats in California that are still considered “too close to call” which NEVER seems to go well for the GOP!
I believe in the case of Stefanik and possibly Gaetz, Trump is pulling House members from deep red districts. In other words, their replacements will almost certainly be republicans.
That is what I was assuming BUT I just wanted to confirm that the seats are SAFE and will not affect the balance of power in the House…
Kevin McCarthy spent big $$$$ trying to get rid of Matt this year, he is one bitter loser. Kev Kev needs a little me time with Frank Luntz
They are ruby red by over 20% GOP advantage.
It will still take 3-5 months to call a special election.
This is dangerous territory.
do some get appointed by their Governor?
depending on the state? (some are appointed and others require calling a special election)
I just heard a talking head on TV say appointments can be made to the Senate but not the House, which requires replacement elections
The new congress hasn’t even started yet… it’s dangerous territory with or without these organizational maneuverings.
Maybe even MAGAer!
DeSantis looking towards 2028 and a potential Presidential run will appoint MAGA replacements to both Gaetz and Rubio in hopes of Trumps blessing in 2028. The SOH and Senate Majority Leader are the KEY to move the Trump Agenda forward in his second term. Without those he’s bridled by the RINO’s and DEMONCRAPS.
I am not yet convinced that the D’s won’t end up with the House in a week or three.
Then what happens if the Judge renders a suspended jail term to DJT, making him at that point a ‘convicted felon’ for real, I think. Yes, it will all go away on appeal, but meanwhile the talking point will be persuasive.
And not just a talking point: will be the rallying cry for refusing to honour the election results – especially if they retain the House as I fear might transpire. Both in December and then again in January they may block or annul the election and then it goes to Congress to vote in a President and there are so many RINOs in both House and Senate that somebody else will be picked.
Not saying this all will happen, but the Bad Guys didn’t disappear last week and they will have some moves to play before this is all over. I think this flurry of announcements is a countermove to impress on the American Public’s mind that Trump won the Presidency again so that when they try to take it away it won’t feel credible somehow. Otherwise, the speed and entertainment/drama value of all these announcements doesn’t really make much sense.
Just looked it up: The gov of FL can appoint a replacement for the empty Rubio seat and that person would be able to serve until a Special Election in 2026.
Whoever wins the Special Election in 2026 would then serve the remainder of Rubio’s term, which ends in 2028. To win a full term, that person would have to run for the full term in the election of 2028.
Is DeSantis a Gaetz fan?
Sundance, what’s in it for DeSantis to make Gaetz the pick for the empty Rubio seat?
The smart money says DeSantis makes a deal with FL Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, DeSantis resigns as Governor, then Gov. Nunez appoints DeSantis to Rubio’s former Senate seat. This positions DeSantis to challenge J.D. Vance in 2028
Desantis does not need to be in the Senate. He has a national reputation already.
A poor one, but yes, a reputation nonetheless.
as a traitor to President Trump for whom he owes his job
Would you say that reputation leans positive or negative though?
DeSantis is already buried. He exposed himself … for what he truly is …
Those “listless vessels” have a long memory.
He shouldn’t have listened to Casey and bucked Trump …
and DeSantis has been so loyal he deserves a placement seat to run for president again
yee gads
With a WORD Trump can completely destroy all power and influence from DeSantis. BOTH know this.
Doesn’t DeSantis owe Gaetz, considering it was Gaetz who convinced Trump to endorse DeSantis for Governor?
“Mark Warner would no longer have a shield”…..
Mark Warner is swamp scum, just like his daddy.
Accurate. And an insult to all (soap and pond alike) scum!
“Hey Marky, HERE COME DA JUDGE!”
There is methodology in the madness. 🤷♀️🤷
We are all protective, and want loyal Americans in positions of power.🇺🇲
God bless the process.🙏
Excuse our angst! 😵💫
Deleted…wrong thread.
🤔
So who replaces Rubio in SSCI, is it Rubios senate replacement, or other?
Sundance is on board, I am on board. What are we going to do about Mitch and the lap dogs?
Thanks SD for outlining the 3D chess that Trump is playing!!
This is why I could never be a politician!
I’d pick 1000 Tom Homans and just start handing out bulldozers!!!
isn’t that what MAGA folks want?
what happened to “a leopard doesn’t change his spots?”
We are incredibly stupid
It seems our very stable Genius POTUS is using their egos against them to remove them from the troublesome influence they currently have.
Bingo
The common thread between these picks is youth. President Trump appears to be building the next generation of MAGA.
MAGA must be institutionalized – put another way: the institutions must become MAGAified
Interesting analysis of what is currently in play. But one question: Getting Rubio out of the SSCI chair is one thing, but who might assume the chair? Remember, it is a select committee and the Majority Leader (likely Thune) can appoint whoever he (and the IC) want in that position. Susan Collins?? So I’m saying, getting Rubio out does not necessarily mean removing at problem.
Thune gets offered ND Governorship if Noem steps down to become DHS Cabinet member.
Increases chance that Scott becomes Senate Majority Leader. Scott appoints someone MAGA to the SSCI.
It’s more fun than Twister!
you didn’t have the right blondes
That sounds good!
Thune is SD, and I like it, but he’s been McConnell’s lap dog far too long to give up his new position as Senate Majority Leader. No thanks to the fake MAGA senators who voted for Thune and Cornyn! Not a fan of my own Sen. Rick Scott, but he would have been the best choice of the three for MAGA agenda.
So you’re saying we’re not doomed?
So you’re saying Trump might have thought this out?
So you’re saying we shouldn’t jump ship and dye our hair green???
Yes, Yes & Yes.
I agree. In WY rumors are that Senator Lummis (U,WY) is a potential pick for secretary of interior. My analysis concurs. He is RINO hunting the humane way.
Good, losing her would be a plus.
It all depends on who the Leader of the Senate is.
4D chess … maybe 5D
yeah, that’s some inside baseball, Sundance
a pleasure to read, can’t imagine the experience and know-how it takes to put a scenario like that together …
wondering what kind of analyst or spook you were in real life previously … not asking, just sayin’
Brilliant!
Our PDJT is purely brilliant!
That is all Treepers, carry on, as we truly have a happy warrior on our side!
I like the way you think SD
“With Rubio removed from the equation of the IC problem, the issue becomes mitigating (think neutering) the Secretary of State from undermining the Trump Doctrine; which, as you know, is the key Trump foreign policy approach using economic power combined with diplomacy.”
If Grenell were nominated for ODNI, which seems to be a gatekeeper of sorts, would Grenell be in a position to neuter Rubio’s mischief?
Well, guess I’m okay with it now … a dimension of chess over my head but makes sense🤔
How to redevelop the Middle East and its very high birth rate demographics will take a real estate genius. Keep them home and keep them busy. Good long range thinking. Global construction made South Korea a financial giant.
Why not train in-house constructio9n talent in the Middle East, the same way. .They built the effing pyramids at one time.
I thought this thread was about the US envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff.
Instead it’s been turned into the latest intrigue of the “whats the latest with little Marco” non story.
What’s being overlooked is what Trump is now consistently harping on – “peace,” a word he used in describing the goal for Mr. Witkoff as well as others he’s appointing.
To me, Trump seems to have the notion that what the world needs now is a few more peacemakers in leadership and a lot fewer bomb throwers.
I hope Trump (or Scavino) reads the Treehouse, where Sundance never fails to make it make sense. Because if they hadn’t been thinking this already, it’s not too late!
Always happy to see Sundance present deep, solid logic. Maybe it’ll calm down the concern trolls for a bit.
If it’s Rubio, it might mean that he would spend time focused on Cuba, Venezuela, and South America in general. China has been making inroads all over SA, as has Iran. It’s as if the Monroe Doctrine had never existed. Both countries need to be kicked out of SA.
If we are going to return hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to their home country, the situation there must be changed or it will be hard to do. Maduro might not take them, and it would look bad to return them to chaos. Same with Haiti.
Additionally, it seems that the communist regime in Havana has never been weaker, and could be ripe for regime change. Returning Cuba to democratic rule would be a real feather in Rubio’s cap especially as he is of Cuban descent.
Rubio could also solidify the Latino vote for midterms.
“Secretary Rubio becomes the Maître d’ to a newly branded restaurant with a private dining room he is not permitted to enter. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe is the new chef in the back of the house, changing the menu and charting a new, fresher culinary experience. It becomes likely everyone gets the same menu and experience now.
I can find cautious optimism in this strategy. Frankly, getting Rubio out of the Chair position is a pretty big deal.”
Seems the VSG is on a roll
Rubio can be replaced if he doesn’t perform.
That’s what recession appointments are for.
And if so another swamp creature bites the dust.
Lots of moves of players, but is the economy of the restaurant really under threat?
New room is very interesting. How about another for the Russians and Ukrainians?
New menu but same cooks. Will the new Chef be a Gordon Ramsey in that kitchen?
“It becomes likely everyone gets the same menu and experience now” SD addressed it.
President Trump took a very close look at Rubio while vetting him for VP. Although he obviously wasn’t chosen he appears to have been the runner up to JD in the due diligence analysis. That said, I’m hopeful POTUS 47 saw enough loyalty in Rubio to the MAGA agenda GOING FORWARD, that he is comfortable in whatever role he extends to little Marco. With all the legal BS, and with the hand of God twice sparing his life, I don’t see him making the same Pence, Tillerson, Sessions, Barr, Powell, Wray…mistakes again.
Trump has a thing about his apprentices. Anyone who has been destroyed by going up against the Don gets guidance and rehab. A bit like horse training or boot camp where soldiers are put through hell only to emerge as better and more loyal to the one who broke them.
secretary of state is 4th in line of succession
regardless of political maneuvering
I do not want a traitor to MAGA in that office
here is the list
president
vice president
speaker of the house (this is just insane that this person is so far up on the list)
from what I have seen in my many years are a bunch of idiots in this position
president of the senate
sec of state
sec of treasury
sec of defense
attorney general
etc.
I heard Ramaswamy say in Lex Friedman podcast that the govt should be at minimum reduced by 75%. If that happens all these appointments take a different flavor!
There’s a precedent for a President controlling his SoS through another appointment. Richard Nixon’s first SoS was William Rogers, but during Nixon’s first 4 years Nixon used NatSecAdvisor Henry Kissinger as the real controller of foreign policy
So, how much of the supposed national security documents that were in Mar-a-Lago will disclose the crooked SSCI (think Warner) actions during PDJT’s first term? What would be enlightening will be the release of those documents within the first week. Hopefully with the Supreme Court decision giving the President unlimited control over the executive, President Trump says they are declassified (again and still), tells the IC agencies to pound sand as they no longer have veto authority over what is classified, and releases them. Sunshine.
I fail to see how removing Rubio from the SSCI chair helps. At best, we get a John Cornyn to replace him. The IC is never going to allow that position to fall into the “wrong” hands.
I think this. makes a lot of sense. I would not have been able to grasp this myself, so thank you Sundance for connecting the dots.
Speaker Johnson said Trump was not taking anymore congressmen for his cabinet. DeSantis may appoint his chief of staff some are reporting.
Rubio’s in the Bush orbit. Getting him out of Senate Intelligence will be huge; he was always an obstacle to getting documents released and bringing in transparency during the 1st admin. Moving him to SOS, however, seems even more dangerous. That’s a very powerful position; let’s hope team Trump has a plan to neuter him, destroy the Bush/Cheney regime once and for all, and remove the deep state.
YES this is exactly what I said when the “leaker detection” talk was going on. Removing RINOs from the Senate would be a very useful tactic. Trump can always fire a Secretary of State who does things like launching attacks without the president’s approval. Pompeo did that, we know… but in the moment, Trump was still under swamp attack looking to use anything as an excuse. This term is completely different. Everything is on the table and nothing is off limits.
(You know, Sundance, a little credit wouldn’t hurt… maybe I’m not the first person to think of it, but I’m the first person to say it in my world and I heard no one else say it until I read this here.)
Speaking of “no one else saying”…Isn’t this the gentleman who was golfing at the Palm Beach course when they caught the guy at the 2nd assassination attempt?
If the warmonger Israel first are already filling up PDJT ‘a cabinet , I don’t see much hope for “Peace” . If it’s just scare tactics , that could very well backfire . Israel feels it’s been given a mandate now to destroy completely and remove every Palestinian man ,woman and child. In other words , ethnic cleansing . We need to end the Zionist indoctrination of Christians .
Uh – no – You have blamed the wrong “war mongerer.” Nobody invited Hamas to attack Israel, kill people and take hostages. They deserve whatever they get and have no standing to complain.
This piece is overthought? Nah. Trump is anything but a simpleton. This piece, not unlike the Noem/Thune article is artistry precisely because it captures Trump’s thinking so well.
Let’s hope that Marco bites.
What would America be like if the “six ways from Sunday” crowd did not have power and control over over all those who get appointed or elected?
We’ve all seen how people get lured into something, behave in disgraceful ways and then they spend the rest of their lives controlled. Or maybe a family member’s done something terrible. Or maybe the “six ways” group threatens the family. “Nice family you got there. Be a shame if…”
If it was me, and I had mad a mistake, or a series of mistakes, that kept me imprisoned by the “six ways” bunch, and I had the opportunity to get free in the form of a Trump political appointment, I would take it.
Standing next to a Lion makes even the most fearful act brave.
Trump has promised a Truth and Transparency commission. Maybe the Six Ways group will go the way of the Wicked Witch of the West?
Maybe there are many compromised and miserable controlled people who are willing to play a part in the destruction of the Deep State now that the Lion is in charge.
I’ve been on the receiving end of an “if you don’t __, then I’ll__” kind of threat. The way I stood up was knowing my Lion, Jesus, was with me. (That was an abusive spouse who did try to follow thru on that threat but the judge saw it for what it was.)
Maybe these politicians are weak people who will be strengthened by Trump’s strength. What if they’re not really riding his coattails but gaining strength?
One can hope!
I dislike the idea of Gaetz because from the first exposure to him I could see that he, like Rubio, is always running for President.
There are dark corners in his past that have not fully been used against him. When brought upm the narrative wiggled him out of the sexual sin and kept it on his buddy.
I would not trust him in the Senate…too much perceived power with a strong potential of becoming more of a sell out to the IC or whomever kept him clear in FL.
His bloviating in Congress does not impress me because it is all about perception and his desire to be President.
This is the sort of nuanced, insightful take that I come to the Treehouse for. Have been trying to think through all these Rubio stories (noting that purportedly they came via the NYT not Team Trump which is another wrinkle – flushing out a traitor?).
The way the announcements are being made is giving me Godfather vibes, like some sort of setup, con or sting op is in play.
But this is cool: get Rubio out of the Gang of Eight and Senate seat in FLA adding another MAGA vote there.
Another thought: If TT (team Trump) is really going for hard core reform between now and 2026 as they say – and which I fervently hope is true – then they are not going to reform from the top down, i.e. the SOS, SECDEF, senior cabinet level, but rather from agents acting from outside the usual bureaucratic parameters – such as the Vivek-Elon tag team play whose administrative role on the organizational chart and within Cabinet hierarchy has not (glaringly) been explained.
So some of the conventionally senior roles, like SoS, may prove less important than usual and the real action will be underneath or outside their purview.
Keep up the good work!
The Derp State will still have a back door to Rubio. Once in the Mafia – one doesn’t get out.
Florida is the new DC.
Mar a Lago is indeed the Southern White House.
Maybe Melania won’t want to sleep in a room the Bidens used….
I wouldn’t either
according to NewsWeek, Iran is supplying “dossiers” to certain media outlets and only Ken Klippenstein was brave enough to publish them. First J.D. Vance and now Marco Rubio.
[insert rolling eyes emoji]
If I may add, the State Dept is the overt controller of the CIA.
Indeed, cautious optimism.
As much as the idea of Rubio as SoS disgusts me, I focus on both the positives SD pointed out …AND the fact that once Trump has all his 1st year ducks in a row, Rubio could be fired by Trump if he deviates from the MAGA course, almost certainly ending his national political influence. There’s no love lost between them.
As for replacing Rubio in the Senate, I’m aware of no FL law that would prevent DeSantis from appointing himself.
President-elect Trump is now deep into some 6th or 7th level of chess moves. Once SoS, not always SoS!