The Times of Israel is liveblogging Tuesday’s events as they unfold.
US Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state
The US Senate unanimously confirms Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump’s secretary of state.
The Senate backs Rubio by a vote of 99-0, days after the long-term member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees sailed through his friendly confirmation hearing.
Rubio becomes the first of Trump’s cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term.
Additional votes on Trump nominees are expected this week.
Rubio, 53, is a harsh critic of China and an advocate for Israel. The son of immigrants from Cuba, he has also pushed for tough measures against the Communist-ruled island and its allies, especially the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
During his confirmation hearing, he warned that the US must change course to avoid becoming more reliant on China, and promised a robust foreign policy focused on American interests.
Rubio also said it should be US policy that the war in Ukraine must end. He said reaching an agreement to stop the fighting would involve concessions from both Moscow and Kyiv, and he suggested that Ukraine would have to give up its goal of regaining all the territory Russia has taken in the last decade.
Rubio is the first person of Hispanic origin to serve as the nation’s top diplomat.
With hostages’ families behind him, Trump says he’ll pardon ‘January 6 hostages’
With the families of the hostages being held in Gaza standing behind him, Trump announces that he will be signing an executive order pardoning the “hostages” prosecuted for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
The Israeli families had just been called to the stage by Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff at the post-inauguration rally in Washington. Trump shook hands with each of them who then stood behind him as he gave one of his typical political rally speeches.
After announcing his decision to pardon the “J6 hostages,” Trump turns to the Israeli group and reflects on the ceasefire deal Witkoff helped finalize last week.
“We never stopped praying for you, and we’re so glad that you’re reunited with your friends and families,” Trump says.
While introducing Trump, Witkoff says the Israeli hostage families will be meeting with the president later tonight.
The hostage families are in Washington to urge the new administration to ensure the nascent ceasefire deal is upheld through all three phases amid concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will resume fighting after the first phase, preventing the release of the remaining hostages.
Hostages’ relatives, Noa Argamani invited on stage to meet Trump at rally
After detailing the administration’s Mideast vision, envoy Steve Witkoff proceeds to introduce relatives of some of the hostages still in Gaza, including the parents of American hostages.
Former hostage Noa Argamani is also part of the group who are called onto the stage at the Capital One Arena.
Each of them is wearing a yellow scarf to raise awareness to the hostage crisis. The father of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander is also wearing a red MAGA hat.
Former Israeli hostage Noa Argamani. President Trump invited hostage families and former hostages on stage with him. pic.twitter.com/fYNeCM1GxP
— Melanie Notkin (@SavvyAuntie) January 20, 2025
Trump shakes hands with each of them, and they use the opportunity to thank the president for his efforts to bring the new ceasefire deal across the finish line.
The crowd gives a standing ovation to the families as Trump takes the stage and proceeds to give an entire rally speech as the hostages’ families stand behind him.
Trump’s envoy says president will push for ‘courageous diplomacy, prosperity’ in Mideast
Introducing US President Donald Trump at a post-inauguration rally in Washington, new Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff lays out his boss’s four-pronged approach to the region.
“One: respect for sovereignty. Every nation deserves the right to determine its own destiny, free from the interference of external powers,” Witkoff says.
“Two: economic prosperity as a bridge to stability. Through economic partnerships and investment, we can build a foundation for cooperation that transcends historical grievances,” he goes on.
“Three: courageous diplomacy. Real progress requires difficult conversations and bold decisions, and it is through these that trust is built and maintained.”
“Four: reciprocity and accountability. The United States requires reciprocal actions from our partners. We are done carrying the financial burden for nations that are unwilling to fund their own progress. The days of blank checks are over,” Wiktoff says to cheers from the crowd.
“THE DAYS OF BLANK CHECKS ARE OVER” – Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff says we will stop funding countries who won’t fund their own progress pic.twitter.com/ztipCVVMVd
— Liam McCollum (@MLiamMcCollum) January 20, 2025
“A stable and prosperous Middle East is not an unattainable dream. It is a goal within our reach,” he continues, pledging to expand the Abraham Accords during Trump’s second term.