Rubio urges conservatives to uplift their ideology, brushes off Republicans’ midterm losses
On Nov. 13, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed Republican setbacks in the midterms as part of a long-term effort, urging conservatives to elevate their ideology beyond election cycles at a Federalist Society event in Washington. He warned that progress requires more than winning ballots, emphasizing influence across universities, the press, and civil society while urging resilience amid defeats. Rubio criticized activist courts and the notion of international law as a tool of global elites, defending U.S. actions abroad and arguing that laws should not undermine American sovereignty. He also linked these critiques to broader tensions with Democratic and international institutions, signaling a sustained, long-view strategy for the conservative movement. The remarks align with a broader push to shape institutions and public opinion as the path forward for Republican influence.
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Rubio delivered the keynote at the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention in Washington, D.C., framing midterm losses as not the end of the political arc and stressing that durable forces operate over decades rather than election cycles.
He argued that government is not the sole source of political power and urged conservatives to strengthen influence across universities, the press, and civil society to sustain ideological momentum.
Rubio condemned what he called an 'endless barrage of claims' about U.S. violations of international norms, defending U.S. actions such as the capture of Nicolás Maduro while disparaging international law as an instrument used by a global elite to undermine sovereignty.
He criticized activist courts at home for twisting the law to fit their preferences and warned that such judicial behavior weakens the United States, echoing themes common in Trump-era critiques of judges and federal institutions.
The remarks also touched on international tensions, including support for sanctions on the International Criminal Court and opposition to its authority, as part of a broader critique of global governance structures.
Rubio’s stance aligns with ongoing clashes between Republican leadership and the Supreme Court, which he suggested has limited alignment with Trump’s interests, amid a broader culture-war framing of legal and international institutions.