US' Rubio on 'resignation watch' following midterm defeat as he weighs presidential bid: report

Rubio seeks distance from Iran war, leaving Trump to own it despite his foreign policy authority

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on "resignation watch" following Republican losses in the midterm elections as allies anticipate an exit to prepare a 2028 presidential run, Britain's The Independent reported.

"It makes complete sense for him to step down and leave the administration," a Rubio ally told the outlet, arguing that the top diplomat cannot run an effective nationwide campaign while serving in office.

Insiders said Rubio also seeks to separate his political brand from the Iran war to leave ownership of the war to US President Donald Trump, pointing out that he maintained a "quieter role" on military operations despite holding statutory foreign policy authority.

Read More: Democrats vow to rein in Trump as he shows off White House ballroom

Republican sources, meanwhile, suggested that up to five Cabinet members are preparing exits before the newly elected Democratic-controlled Congress convenes in January, seeking to avoid committee investigations and potential impeachment efforts.

The administration swiftly rejected the reporting. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle attacked the claims as "baseless, false conspiracy theories", declaring that Trump "has assembled a united team focused on his America First agenda".

State Department Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson also denounced the report as "completely baseless fake news from made-up anonymous 'sources'".