US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is widely expected to resign from Donald Trump’s administration to launch a campaign for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, according to multiple reports citing sources in Washington and the British government.

The speculation intensified after Republicans suffered a sweeping defeat in the November 3 midterm elections, losing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Democrats flipped longtime Republican strongholds including Texas and Kansas, in what observers described as a clear public rejection of the administration’s policies.

Sources told Britain’s The Independent that Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, needs to distance himself from the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran -- now in its ninth month -- and from the broader Trump record to improve his standing against main rival Vice President JD Vance.

One Washington insider said Rubio would seek to “distance himself from the Iran war and pin that one on Trump.”

A Rubio ally claimed he is currently ahead of Vance in the race for the nomination but “cannot run while he is still secretary of state.”

Bloomberg separately reported that Rubio has discussed stepping down with White House officials, though the administration has urged him to remain.

Up to four or five cabinet members are said to be preparing exits amid public anger over soaring energy costs linked to the war, foreign policy, and the prospect of Democratic-led investigations or impeachment efforts once the new Congress convenes.

The White House and State Department issued sharp denials. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed the reports as “baseless, false conspiracy theories,” insisting the team remains united around an “America First agenda.”

State Department Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson called the claims “complete and total fake news” based on anonymous sources and said Rubio would continue to serve. Rubio himself stated in September that he had “no plans at this time” for a presidential run and was focused on his dual roles.

The midterm results have been widely attributed in part to voter backlash against the war launched by the US and Israel in late February against Iran.

The war disrupted global energy supplies through actions in the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fuel prices. Exit polls indicated that a large majority of voters viewed the war as a major factor in their decision, with many regarding the use of force as a mistake.

Vice President Vance has already publicly blamed the war for the Republican losses.

Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, described the results as Americans voting “NO TO WAR.”

Rubio has maintained a relatively low public profile on the Iran file compared with other administration figures.