Rubio appeared in court in Miami on Tuesday to testify about his relationship with his longtime friend and former congressman David Rivera, who is accused of "acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the Venezuelan socialist government." This marks the first time in more than four decades that a sitting cabinet secretary has testified as a witness in a criminal trial. While U.S. government officials frequently appear before congressional hearings, there are almost no precedents for them testifying before a federal jury. Rubio's role in this money-laundering case highlights his long-standing ties with Rivera, who allegedly sought to leverage his connections on Capitol Hill—particularly his relationship with Rubio—to lobby in Washington and facilitate deals. Their association has long been viewed as a political liability for Rubio, and could resurface if he runs for president in 2028.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860602814290953/
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