Marco Rubio Links Liberty to Duty to Family, Nation, and God

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a video on X on Friday, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The video features imagery such as Mount Rushmore, a cross, World War II footage, the moon landing, former President Ronald Reagan and evangelist Billy Graham.

In the video, Rubio said that liberty is not simply the absence of limits or liberation from duty to family, nation and God. He described liberty as requiring duty, sacrifice, service to a cause beyond oneself and belief in something larger than the individual. He argued that the founders saw order and virtue as the foundation of a free people, cultivated by institutions such as the family, the church, just and moral laws, and the habits of self‑government.

Rubio concluded by urging Americans to pray that this tradition of freedom will endure for another 250 years. He noted that the America 250 commemorations are already underway, citing the National Jubilee of Prayer, Penance and Thanksgiving and the Great American State Fair, both of which have taken place on the National Mall.