In a wide-ranging interview conducted on February 20, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat down with Catherine Herridge Reports to discuss critical global developments and the Trump administration’s foreign policy agenda. From the recent release of Israeli hostages by Hamas to U.S. strategies on Gaza, Russia, Iran, and beyond, Rubio provided detailed insights into his first 30 days in office and his plans to realign the State Department with America’s national interests. This exclusive conversation, hosted by independent journalist Catherine Herridge, highlights Rubio’s priorities as he navigates complex international challenges in 2025.
Hamas Hostage Release: A Sobering Milestone
The interview began with Rubio addressing the February 18, 2025, release of the bodies of four Israeli hostages—including a mother and her two children, aged four and one—by Hamas. “It’s a stark reminder of who Hamas really is,” Rubio said. “Who kidnaps families? These are evil, terrible people.” He criticized the group’s actions and the celebratory response in Gaza, arguing that Hamas’s continued existence as a militarized force is “unfathomable.”
Rubio underscored the emotional toll on the victims’ families, noting the religious significance of recovering remains, while reaffirming U.S. support for Israel’s objective to dismantle Hamas. “They can’t be allowed to reconstitute,” he said, warning that as long as Hamas operates in Gaza, peace will remain elusive.
Rebuilding Gaza: A Plan Amid Regional Pushback
Turning to the future of Gaza, Rubio outlined President Trump’s January 2025 proposal to temporarily relocate residents to enable reconstruction amid ongoing conflict. “How are you going to rebuild with people living among the rubble?” he asked. The plan, however, has faced resistance from regional allies. Rubio, who met with Egyptian and Jordanian leaders on February 13, 2025, and spoke with Saudi and UAE officials on February 19, 2025, challenged them to propose alternatives. “If you don’t like the President’s plan, come up with a better one,” he said.
He emphasized that any viable solution must address Gaza’s governance, ruling out Hamas as an option. “Someone is going to have to go in and get rid of Hamas,” Rubio asserted, suggesting that wealthy Gulf nations could fund the effort. The U.S., he added, is prepared to assist, marking this as a key focus for 2025.
An “America First” State Department: Early Wins and Challenges
Reflecting on his first 30 days as Secretary of State, a milestone reached on February 20, 2025, Rubio praised the State Department’s workforce but stressed the need to refocus its mission. “There’s a lot of work to realign everything with the national interest,” he said, defining an “America First” approach as prioritizing U.S. security and prosperity without isolating allies.
A significant early move was pausing most foreign aid on January 21, 2025, for a 90-day review, set to conclude by April 20, 2025. Rubio reported issuing over 250 waivers for programs like a Guatemala-based fentanyl interdiction effort, ensuring alignment with U.S. goals. “Every program we operate must make us stronger or safer,” he said, highlighting a shift from past policies he believes drifted from national priorities.
Tackling Cartels and Criminal Networks
On February 17, 2025, the Trump administration designated eight cartels and criminal organizations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua (TdA), as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Rubio, who has tracked TdA since his Senate days, called the move a game-changer. “It unlocks diplomatic and economic tools,” he explained, cutting off these groups’ access to global financial systems. While military action against cartels in Mexico isn’t imminent, Rubio emphasized cooperation with Mexican authorities, leaving U.S. law enforcement options open for domestic threats.
Russia and Ukraine: Testing the Waters for Peace
Rubio also discussed his February 15, 2025, meeting with Russia’s foreign minister—the first high-level U.S.-Russia contact in over three years. Criticizing the Biden administration’s communication breakdown, he stressed the necessity of dialogue with a nuclear power. “Even during the Cold War, we talked to the Soviet Union,” he noted. The meeting aimed to gauge Russia’s willingness to end the Ukraine war, following President Trump’s call with Vladimir Putin on February 10, 2025.
While no specifics were negotiated, Rubio said the U.S. seeks to establish a process for technical-level talks. He dismissed claims of excluding Ukraine or European allies, citing consultations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and G7 leaders between February 13 and February 20, 2025. “Peace is an action,” Rubio said. “We’ll find out if they’re serious.”
Iran, China, and Global Hotspots
On Iran, Rubio reiterated the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy, enacted via a February 1, 2025, executive order, to prevent a nuclear-armed regime. “They can never be allowed to hold the world hostage,” he warned, declining to detail potential military options. Regarding China, Rubio outlined a balanced approach—maintaining communication while countering economic and Indo-Pacific dominance. “We won’t depend on China for critical supply chains,” he said, advocating for reciprocity in trade.
Rubio also addressed the origins of COVID-19, citing “compelling” evidence of a Wuhan lab leak and calling for accountability. On Taiwan, he reaffirmed U.S. opposition to forced status changes, per the Taiwan Relations Act, while expressing concern about ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan and Syria fueling terrorism.
Transparency and Independent Journalism
Closing the interview, Rubio committed to opening the State Department briefing room to independent journalists, a pledge underscored by his choice to speak with Herridge, who posts on X. “We have to go where people are getting their news,” he said, critiquing declining traditional media influence. This move aligns with his broader goal of transparency, notably in supporting victims of Havana Syndrome, which he believes stem from deliberate attacks.