Trump’s DEI Hire
Marco Rubio holds multiple key positions, including Secretary of State, National Security Adviser, Acting Administrator for USAID, and Acting U.S. Archivist. This level of consolidation is unusual, raising questions about whether his appointments are based purely on merit or if they serve a broader political purpose.
Historically, conservatives believe DEI hires signal inclusivity while maintaining existing power structures, and Rubio’s presence in the administration fulfills a similar function.
The DEI Paradox in the Trump Administration
Trump’s administration has worked to eliminate DEI programs, arguing that they promote division rather than merit-based advancement. However, Rubio’s Cuban-American heritage and political background provide the administration with a figure who can appeal to Latino voters while reinforcing Trump’s policy agenda. His appointment allows the administration to claim diversity without embracing the principles of DEI that it has sought to dismantle.
Rubio’s Role in Foreign Policy and Domestic Affairs
As Secretary of State, Rubio’s task is to execute Trump’s foreign policy vision, which includes reducing foreign aid and reshaping diplomatic relations. His leadership at USAID has coincided with the agency’s near-total defunding, further aligning with Trump’s broader goals. These actions suggest that while Rubio’s presence may offer the appearance of diversity, his policies remain consistent with the administration’s priorities.
Conclusion
Rubio’s multiple appointments within the Trump administration highlight the complex relationship between diversity and political strategy. While his presence may symbolize inclusivity, his policy decisions and leadership style align closely with Trump’s broader agenda.
In this sense, Rubio is a DEI hire in function but not philosophy, reinforcing the administration’s ideological stance while providing a veneer of diversity. Rubio gives the administration an easy way out in the event of a problem with foreign policy.
Trump, as he often does in situations like these, can play the race card and blame it on the brown guy who is more than happy to take Trump’s burdensome load on his back to please “the boss.”
Harold Michael Harvey, JD, is a two-time award-winning author for his memoir, Freaknik Lawyer: A Memoir on the Craft of Resistance, and the historical novel, Watch Night, Our Souls Cried out for Freedom: A Narrative History of Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Macon, Georgia, from 1863 to 2023. Harvey is a past president of the oldest Black Bar Association in Georgia and founder of the Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame. An avid baseball fan, he is a voting member of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Harvey is an engaging public speaker. Contact Harvey at [email protected].