Rubio sounds campaign-ready as he rails against open borders, globalism in speech from ancient Greek ruins

Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a Wednesday address in Athens to attack open borders and globalism, in remarks that sounded closer to a political stump speech than a diplomatic statement. Speaking with the Acropolis lit by the setting sun behind him, he argued that Western countries had let their borders go unguarded, shipped away industry, and neglected their militaries, according to Fox News.

Rubio said the West had come to treat nationalism as taboo, pulled down monuments, and taught young people to feel shame about their countries. He also contended that decision-making had drifted to international bureaucracies beyond public control. In his telling, a West that lost its self-assurance gave rivals room to push harder, and he described the present as an "inflection point" with war and great-power rivalry back on the scene.

He singled out Iran's leaders, condemning what he called a cult of death, and contrasted that with Western heroes, who he said honor life even when they risk losing it. He framed America's heritage as flowing from ancient Greece.

Fox News notes that Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are both widely mentioned as possible successors to President Donald Trump in 2028, a topic Trump has repeatedly stoked himself.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →