Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to testify Tuesday in the trial of a former roommate who has alleged ties to former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and whom prosecutors allege worked as Maduro's hired gun.

Prosecutors believe former Florida GOP Rep. David Rivera used his connections in Congress to push the first Trump administration to back down on its anti-Venezuela rhetoric. Texas GOP Rep. Pete Sessions also allegedly assisted Rivera in brokering meetings on Maduro’s behalf. 

Rivera was first arrested in 2022 and was charged in an 11-count indictment, including for allegedly failing to register as a foreign agent, and money laundering. He has denied any wrongdoing, according to the Washington Examiner. 

Rubio has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is expected to be questioned about his interactions with Rivera in 2017, including meetings and communications he had with the former lawmaker. Prosecutors also allege that Rivera considered Rubio a strong ally in his efforts to reach the White House.  

The secretary's testimony is considered unusual because it marks the first time a presidential Cabinet member has testified in a criminal trial since the 1980s when former Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan testified at a mafia trial, per NBC News.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.