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The son of Cuban immigrants, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio argued that Republicans must remain unapologetic about Trump’s “America First” agenda, even as critics cast it as isolationist and anti-immigrant.
Rubio sought to put a softer face on Republicans’ rhetoric and positioning on immigration. He avoided specific policy details but waxed eloquent about the makeup of the nation — finding a way to praise Trump’s running mate in the process as he talked of a citizenry made up of refugees, descendants of enslaved persons and immigrants simply seeking better opportunities.
“Americans are people as diverse as humanity itself. But out of many, we are one,” Rubio said. “Because as the life story of our next vice president, JD Vance, reminds us, we are all descendants of ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things.”
But as he offered that sweeping definition of what it means to be American, Rubio emphasized: “Putting Americans first must be what this election is all about.”