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“President Trump Is a President of Action,” — Marco Rubio Praises — “He Will Go Down as One of the Most Historic Figures in American History Because of What He Is Doing Right Now With the Western Hemisphere”

  • Rob Glenn
  • March 7, 2026
“President Trump Is a President of Action,” — Marco Rubio Praises — “He Will Go Down as One of the Most Historic Figures in American History Because of What He Is Doing Right Now With the Western Hemisphere”

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Donald Trump during remarks delivered at the Shield of the Americas Summit, describing the president as a leader defined by decisive action and arguing that his policies toward the Western Hemisphere could cement his place as one of the most consequential figures in modern American history.

In brief remarks following the president’s address, Rubio thanked the leaders in attendance and highlighted what he characterized as a shift in U.S. engagement with neighboring nations under the current administration. The secretary of state said previous administrations had frequently promised to prioritize the region but failed to follow through.

“Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank all the leaders that are here today. I’ll be very brief. First of all, Mr. President, thank you for making this region a priority,” Rubio said. “We’ve had successive American presidents say that the Western Hemisphere is going to be a priority and they never do it. And the president has made it a personal priority.” Rubio framed that focus as part of what he described as Trump’s broader governing style, emphasizing decisive action and direct engagement with regional allies. According to Rubio, that approach could ultimately define the president’s legacy.

“He’s also president of action,” Rubio said. “It’s why I believe he will go down as one of the most historic figures in American history, and certainly of the last hundred years because of what he has been able to do and is doing right now with the Western Hemisphere.”

The secretary of state also thanked the president for what he called “bold leadership” and said it was an honor to serve in the administration. The summit brought together leaders from multiple countries across the Americas, which Rubio described as both allies and long-standing partners of the United States. He stressed that the relationships represented at the gathering go beyond traditional alliances.

“We have a lot of allies around the world, and we are grateful for our allies,” Rubio said. “And the countries represented here today, all 12 of the leaders here are allies. But they’re more than allies. They’re friends.”

Rubio argued that these relationships have proven reliable during moments of uncertainty in global politics. “At a time when we have learned that oftentimes an ally when you need him maybe may not be there for you, these are countries that have been there for us,” he said. “These are leaders that are not just allies. They are friends and they are always willing to work and cooperate with the United States and we’re grateful to them.”

He pointed to the economic and strategic potential of nations across the region, describing them as countries with “extraordinary potential” and emphasizing the administration’s interest in strengthening partnerships that promote mutual development and security.

“We want to be a partner with you in that,” Rubio said. “We want the world to see that when you are a friend and an ally of the United States, it is a good thing. It’s reciprocated. It comes back the other way as well.”

Rubio said the president’s presence at the summit signaled that the administration intends to maintain close engagement with the region moving forward. “The fact the president is here today and making this a priority is so critical,” he said.

The remarks came as the administration continues to oversee a major military campaign in the Middle East known as Operation Epic Fury. The campaign has focused on dismantling elements of the Iranian regime’s security apparatus and targeting facilities considered to pose imminent threats. Military officials say the operation has struck more than 3,000 targets across Iran, including command and control centers, ballistic missile sites, integrated air defense systems, and key headquarters associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

While Rubio’s remarks at the summit focused primarily on partnerships within the Western Hemisphere, the broader geopolitical context underscores the administration’s emphasis on security cooperation and strategic alignment among allied nations. The gathering of leaders at the Shield of the Americas Summit highlighted efforts to deepen those relationships as the United States navigates an increasingly complex global security environment.