Rubio Declines to Back Vance's 2028 Bid
Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not reiterate support for JD Vance's possible presidential run while defending Pete Hegseth amid a House impeachment push.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Military
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Marco Rubio declined on Monday in Paris to reiterate his support for JD Vance's 2028 presidential bid, saying he will not discuss the race in any form. The remarks came as Rep. Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth on the House floor.
Why it matters
Rubio's refusal to restate past backing for Vance adds uncertainty to the potential 2028 Republican field at the same time a high-profile impeachment effort targets a Cabinet official. Rubio also publicly defended Hegseth, placing him at odds with Massie's allegations about the Iran war.
Massie filed the articles on the House floor Monday, and a House impeachment vote is scheduled for Wednesday. Rubio declined to say why he made earlier comments about backing Vance, leaving his current position unclear.
The players
Marco Rubio
Rubio is the U.S. Secretary of State and a former Republican senator from Florida who has been widely discussed as a potential 2028 presidential contender.
JD Vance
Vance is the U.S. Vice President and a potential Republican candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
Pete Hegseth
Hegseth is the U.S. Secretary of Defense, a former Fox News host who has faced scrutiny over the conduct of the Iran war.
Thomas Massie
Massie is a Republican congressman from Kentucky known for his frequent opposition to his own party's leadership and policies.
The details
Rubio spoke to reporters in Paris, where he attended the G7 foreign ministers meeting, and said Hegseth has done a great job and that he works with him every day. Massie alleged Hegseth abused the power of his office in the Iran war and knowingly executed unlawful orders to initiate war against a foreign nation.
Timeline
Monday: Massie filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth; Rubio made his 2028 remarks in Paris.
Wednesday: A House impeachment vote on Hegseth is scheduled.
Last year: Rubio told Vanity Fair he would back Vance if he runs.
Political Context
Massie's articles follow the 2019 House impeachment of President Donald Trump, but they target a Cabinet secretary over military action rather than a president over a phone call. The effort is a rare floor-level challenge from within the Republican conference to a Republican administration official.
A House vote on impeachment would formally decide whether Hegseth faces removal proceedings, affecting who leads the Pentagon. For voters, Rubio's refusal to restate support for Vance leaves the 2028 Republican field less settled.
The takeaway
The vote on Wednesday will show whether the House is willing to act on allegations about the conduct of the Iran war, while Rubio's remarks show how the 2028 field remains open. Readers should watch the House floor schedule for the outcome.
What happens next
The House is scheduled to hold a vote on the impeachment articles against Pete Hegseth on Wednesday.
Further reading
For related coverage, see the Military section for ongoing reporting on the Iran war and Pentagon leadership.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WION.
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