Rubio’s comment was in assessing recent actions by Democratic lawmakers following Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, including Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announcing a special session to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” New York Attorney General Letitia James has similarly stated that her office is “prepared to fight back” against the Trump administration in the wake of Trump’s unexpected victory.

NAMES SWIRL FOR TRUMP SECOND CABINET AS TRANSITION TEAM MEETS WHITE HOUSE

“Well, first of all, resistance to what? Resistance to what the American people just voted for?” Rubio asked on Fox News’s America Reports. “In the history of the republic, no candidate for president has been clearer about what they’re going to do in the simplest language possible: he’s going to secure the border, he’s going to bring down prices for energy and other things in America, and he’s going to make us strong in the world so that we don’t have a war. He’s been very clear about this. No one has been more explicit and people voted for that overwhelmingly.”

Rubio suggested that Democrats gearing up to resist Trump’s administration treat voters as “a bunch of dummies” who do not know “what’s best for themselves.” He claimed that this mindset is why the Democratic Party lost the 2024 election, and predicted it will lose future elections if it feeds this mindset. 

In regards to the Republican Party, Rubio praised his party for being able to rebuild itself “in a very positive way” under Trump’s watch, which he explained now reflects a multicultural voting base who want to create a better future. Rubio added that many voters, including those within the Hispanic community, are worried about “criminals” entering the country illegally to attack and kill citizens.

Rubio was also asked about the possibility of working in Trump’s administration come 2025, potentially in the role of secretary of state. The Florida senator said he had not talked to Trump’s team about this possibility, and that such a choice will be up to Trump and that he “makes good decisions” about his employees.

Rubio’s name was floated by some to be a possible vice presidential candidate for Trump, though this role ended up going to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, the Republican senator from Ohio, whom Rubio praised as “a fantastic pick” by Trump.

Trump’s victory was cemented once he won the state of Wisconsin in the Electoral College, pushing him past the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. Trump also won the popular vote in the election, making him the first Republican candidate to do so since former President George W. Bush sought reelection in 2004.