Rubio trips to son’s football games draw $1.2m cost scrutiny
Investigation says many trips were personal, while the state department argues the secretary must use military aircraft for security reasons.
Key points
- Washington Post analysis puts military flight costs for Rubio's Florida trips above $1.2m
- Of 23 Gainesville trips on military aircraft, 15 were classed as personal
- Anthony Rubio has played in only four competitive games across four college seasons
- State department argues the top diplomat must fly on military planes for secure communications
- An assistant secretary of state says Rubio will repay the government for private travel
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, is facing scrutiny over how he travels to watch the University of Florida football team. According to a Washington Post investigation, as reported by The Guardian, his flights have cost taxpayers more than $1.2m. The report was published on Wednesday.
The Post found that Rubio has been at no fewer than 10 games across the last two seasons, five of them this autumn. Of 23 flights to Gainesville on military planes, 15 were classed as personal. His son Anthony is a walk-on running back for the team, known as the Gators.
Latest trip and playing record
The most recent journey took place on 7 November, when Rubio landed in Gainesville aboard an Air Force C-37, a jet often used to carry senior officials. He watched from the touchline as the team fell 23-7 against Oklahoma. Anthony did not feature in that match.
Records show Anthony has appeared in just four official matches over four seasons at the school, with two of those coming this year. ESPN lists his college career as 14 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown.
Rubio and the state department respond
In a statement to the Post, Rubio said he tries to attend important events for himself and his family. Many of his Florida flights leave Joint Base Andrews in Maryland for Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami, followed by a connecting leg to Gainesville.
Officials who fly on military transport must repay the government an amount equal to an economy airfare. The Post noted that this sum would fall far below what each trip actually costs. Neither Rubio nor the state department would disclose how much he has paid back so far.
Assistant secretary of state Dylan Johnson called a comparison with former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg moronic in a post on X. He argued that the secretary of state must fly on military aircraft to keep secure communications and follow continuity of government rules. Johnson also said Rubio will pay the government back for all private trips.
Comparisons with earlier officials
The Post, citing two former officials, said Antony Blinken, who served under Joe Biden, made private trips on government planes just a few times annually. Rubio had earlier asked for an inspector general review of Buttigieg’s use of government jets. That review cleared Buttigieg, who made eight trips costing $59,000 in total, of any wrongdoing.
Cynthia Brown, senior ethics counsel at the watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the Post that the travel looked more like a matter of appearance than a breach. She added that it still merited closer examination. Brown noted that Rubio, while not necessarily breaking any rule, alone decides how often and how far he travels. The Guardian has asked the watchdog and the state department for comment.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Marco Rubiou0026#039;s travel cost?
A Washington Post investigation, as reported by The Guardian, found that military flights for Rubiou0026#039;s trips have cost more than $1.2m. The estimate was based on published defense department hourly rates.
Why does Rubio use military aircraft?
The state department says the top diplomat must fly on military planes to stay connected to secure communications. It says the same requirement applies to other senior officials.
Will Rubio pay back the cost of personal trips?
An assistant secretary of state said Rubio will repay the government for private travel. Neither Rubio nor the state department has said how much he has repaid so far.
Sources
- The Guardian: Marco Rubio reportedly spent over $1.2m of taxpayer money traveling to son’s football games
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