Posted on 05/22/2025 8:27:29 AM PDT by Signalman
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was involved in yet another heated exchange on Capitol Hill Wednesday as the department readies its budget proposals for the fiscal year 2026.
This time, Rubio sparred with Rep. Pramilia Jayapal (D-WA) over the administration’s immigration policies, particularly the revocation of student visas for individuals who demonstrate animus towards the United States and its people.
Jayapal — who enthusiastically supported former President Joe Biden’s de facto open border policies that saw more than seven million illegal aliens flood the United States — took issue with the Trump Administration’s decision to resettle a small number of Afrikaner refugees.
The congresswoman, who currently chairs the House Progressive Caucus, accused the Trump Administration of “racism” for resettling a mere 59 South African refugees fleeing farm murders while suspending student visas for foreign nationals who praise jihadist groups like Hamas.
“Where in the Constitution does it say that the Secretary of State can override the First Amendment protections of free speech? Is there a footnote that I missed somewhere?” Jayapal asked, to which the secretary replied, “There’s no constitutional right to a student visa.”
Jayapal then asked Rubio to point to the constitutional authority he has to determine “which speech is appropriate and revokes student visas based on what you think constitutes free speech.”
The secretary responded by providing a civics lesson in which he informed the congresswoman that the Secretary of State’s Office makes determinations on whether an individual poses a threat to the United States. At that point, Jayapal once again repeated the question and seemingly insinuated that the U.S. is obligated to grant visas to anyone who wants one.
“Well, Congress can always change the law if you want, but I’m telling you, in the meanwhile, I have the authority. Let me be clear. While I have the authority, I will continue to revoke the visas of these people that come here to tear this country apart because they’re on student visas,” Rubio answered.
Jayapal continued to suggest that the U.S. has no authority to vet anyone who requests a student visa by insinuating that doing so would be a violation of the First Amendment and the spirit of free speech. The congresswoman zeroed in on the revocation of a visa belonging to a Turkish national who published a pro-Palestine op-ed in a student newspaper.
The Department of Homeland Security has determined that the individual in question presents significant security risks to the United States due to support for groups like Hamas.
“Let me reclaim my time because you are talking about revoking student visas based on what somebody says. And that means that you are trumping the legal Supreme Court, the supreme law of the land, which is the Constitution of the United States,” the congresswoman ranted, at which point Rubio once again pointed out that “no one has a right to a student visa.”
“That law student was a guest in the United States on a student visa. No one is entitled to a student visa.”
I never thought so, but he has impressed me.
Seriously, Marco Rubio has been an absolute rock solid person for President Trump.
I had my doubts at first, but he has been as solid as can be...
You probably did not like Rubio because he wants to give amnesty to dreamers. May be dreamers are not as bad as unvetted illegals. At least dreamers grew up in United States and are fluent in English.
Worse is people vote for these terrorist supporting idiots.
He’s over 50 now. Maturity.
I don’t think American voters are actually electing them.
“I wasn’t in favor of his run for President, but I might be in the future. “
Little Marco has put on his big boy boots and is looking like a contender for ‘28.
Trump has taken on a bevy of people that could run.
Trump,shaping a MAGA future.
Yes they are. I was a voter in Washington State from 1999 through 2016.
I did not observe mass illegal immigrants in that era. Yet those socialist lefty Indian politicians were winning elections in state.
Marco, would be more qualified for president than anyone, IMO.
Did you see him speaking fluent Spanish when he went dow to South America?
He would be the first Latino president. JD, could be Sec of State.
I will tell you, the entire Trump cabinet shines. Why? Because he has their back.
They all take the initiative. They all can speak.
Marco, is doing the job he has been groomed to do. He would be a great president. I think he would tap the strength and diversity of South America and Mexico.
I think Trump is going to improve the economy of the US beyond our wildest dreams.
I don’t see anyone more capable of MArco right now to follow Trump.
JD - Prez, Rubio - VP.
JD, needs more experience. He’s only 40 years old.
Marco will run for president. He will garner the latino and black vote.
JD is good too, but he’s in a position that does not get the attention SOS does.
Marco, is on a path to being the greatest SOS in my lifetime for sure.
In summary, the people will decide ultimately, and I will twell you now Marco will win the primaries. He’s coming out of Florida, he’s in between the old GOP and the new.
I like the guy alot, and I never really did.
plenty of ways to rig the vote or the counting.
or maybe too many WA citizens voted feelings “lets give the foreigner a chance”
Here’s a video of him from 2009 all the way back when he was in the Florida House of Representatives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yc-qRFpAM4
Same Rubio he is now and has always been.
Those saying they “doubted” him or are “surprised” he was this tough or quick on his feet haven’t been paying attention...for decades now. Although...the time where he didn’t have his water at the podium and had to go get it (terrible optics / bad setup - always have your water nearby) during his SOTU response is probably all they are thinking of.
Vance should run and hold Rubio over as Sec State...he would not have to be confirmed again as cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President. They have to either be dismissed or resign - subsequent administrations usually get resignations from all of them unless they are asked to stay -rare - but it happens.
I would not want to see them run against each other. In the unlikely event Vance does not run, and hypothetically Rubio does, he should have Vance be his Veep as well. They seem to work very well together and have jointly negotiated things.
Vance doesn’t impress me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWrf7NlS0VM
What’s so different about him? There he is after announcing his decision to challenge Charlie Crist for the Republican nomination for US Senate - he did this in the face of the establishment already saying Crist was the candidate - NRSC, state party, etc. already making that declaration. We know how that turned out.
Why not? He’s very quick on his feet and destroys all of these press “interviewers” and doesn’t let them control the discussion with false narratives.
That’s the major strength of a president? Ok, if so, have you seen Rubio handling the press along with the members of Congress and the Senate?
J. D. is a good man, but hasn’t done anything in my eye. He’s 40? He’s the apprentice, Rubio has already got his plumber’s license. He’s certainly paid his dues.
In time, Vance will be a great president, but Rubio out shines them all, including De Santis who shot himself in the foot.
I think you’ll see all of them running in ‘28. Every cabinet member plus a few other surprisis.
I think Rubio will win the primaries because of the Spanish vote and black vote too. You will have a Spanish speaking candidate who articulates the Latino mindset.
These are good people, black Americans too. Trump has finally given them a voice and a taste of the good life.
I’m fine, ultra fine with J. D. as president, but it’s Marco’s if he wants it.
Did you watch any of the press conferences Rubio did in Panama and other places in South America.
MARCO IS FANTASTIC.
He’d be great at anything he chooses.
AND, he is a very pleasant SURPRISE.
I always thought he was “low key.”
Turns out he is “shout it from the rooftops”
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