The former presidential candidate noted that the absence of the secretary will be an unusual departure from tradition, while adding that he hopes the State Department will reconsider its decision.



"For 1st time in a long time @StateDept #humanrights report will not be presented by Secretary of State. I hope they reconsider," Rubio tweeted on Thursday.

For 1st time in a long time @StateDept #humanrights report will not be presented by Secretary of State. I hope they reconsider. — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 3, 2017

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The Human Rights Report is a highly respected document that is closely examined by countless interest groups, research institutions and foreign governments around the globe.

The presentation of the report is typically accompanied by remarks from the top U.S. diplomat or another high-ranking State Department official.

According to Politico, some within the administration are also not pleased with the decision.

“I’m disappointed,” one State Department source told the publication. “It appears the U.S. is walking away from its leadership in human rights.”