Rubio Aide Promoted to Senior White House National Security Position

WASHINGTON (CNA) - Axios reported that Mike Needham, a long-time aide to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has been promoted to a senior national security position in the White House. Needham's new role is Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor. This is a significant position as the Trump administration deals with foreign policy challenges ranging from Iran to China, Cuba, and Venezuela. Needham will succeed Robert Gabriel. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles called Gabriel a "trusted confidant and dear friend to me and his White House colleagues" last week. Like Gabriel, Needham has strong connections within the White House, including a good relationship with Vice President JD Vance's team. A senior government official said, "Everyone likes Mike. He understands policy and politics." Since Rubio also serves as the President's National Security Advisor, Needham's transition will keep him in close contact with the Secretary of State. Rubio stated in a statement, "Mike has played a key role in achieving President Trump's overwhelming foreign policy successes. In his new role as Deputy National Security Advisor, Mike will continue to implement the President's 'America First' policy and continue to contribute to the history of the Trump National Security Council." Needham joined Rubio's circle in 2018 as his Senate Chief of Staff after leaving the conservative group Heritage Action, and later joined the Trump administration as an advisor at the State Department. Dan Holler, Rubio's current Chief of Staff, will succeed Needham as advisor and acting head of the Policy Planning Office. Holler previously worked with Needham in Rubio's Senate office and at Heritage Action. Matt Rhodes, currently Chief of Staff to the advisor, will succeed Holler as Chief of Staff at the State Department.