Trump picks ExxonMobil’s Tillerson as secretary of state

It’s clear what Russian Federation thinks of him, but Tillerson quotes on Putin are few and far between – luckily there are other Tillerson quotes that show the oil chief’s views about the U.S.’s relationship with Russian Federation. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of SC and Marco Rubio of Florida. With no diplomatic experience and a relationship with Russian Federation that many have already criticized as too cozy, Tillerson will likely face tough questioning during the confirmation process in the U.S. Senate. In addition, Democrats on the committee are likely to oppose Tillerson and could use hearings as a chance to question him under oath about ExxonMobil’s funding of climate denial. Recently, on Twitter, the president-elect tweeted: “Whether I choose him or not for “State”- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker”.

A statement by Trump’s communication office said that Tillerson “will be a forceful and clear-eyed advocate for America’s vital national interests, and help reverse years of misguided foreign policies and actions that have weakened America’s security and standing in the world”. “That I can tell you for sure is something he believes in, and as far as where that product goes next, you have to just wait and see”, Priebus said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”.

The committee now has 10 Republican and 9 Democratic members, meaning Tillerson needs support from every Republican to get a successful committee vote, presuming Democrats all oppose him. Lifting the sanctions would give Russian Federation more economic power.

That relationship “is a matter of concern”, Senator John McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said Sunday.

Republican Senators are already expressing doubt about Tillerson, saying his relationship with Putin and Russian Federation – who are hostile toward Western democracy – is troubling. “Donald Trump and Rex Tillerson, they hit it off and they have a similar vision of how to get things done”.

“I think it’s safe to say that the environmental community is going to be joining with people in the human rights community and others in heavily mobilized opposition to this nomination and all that it represents going forward”, McKibben said.

The Exxon-Mobil CEO beat out a number of contenders including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Tennessee Senator Bob Corker. Still others were taking a wait-and-see approach, including Sen.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told CBS News that Tillerson’s ties to Russian Federation may well be “strictly commercial”, and that’s “fine”, but the issue will be aired in confirmation hearings.

Mr. Tillerson isn’t an ideologue; he’s more of a realist. Trump’s unwavering defense of Vladimir Putin’s regime against all criticism, and his breezy dismissals of a Central Intelligence Agency finding that Moscow sought to tip the presidential election in his favor, raise critical questions. Even Republicans have joined the demands for Congressional inquiry.

Critics argue that it would be an unprecedented ethical conflict for Trump to maintain interest in properties spanning the globe – investments that rely partly on goodwill from foreign governments and regulators. “While many admire Trump’s “pragmatism” and have raged against American interventions, the consequences of Washington receding to the sidelines and conducting worldwide relations like cold business transactions could be devastating around the world as leaders see success in abandoning the language of hope and progress”.

But Flake is up for re-election in 2018 in a state Trump won, and has already drawn a conservative primary opponent.

Baker, who was secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush and was White House chief of staff and treasury secretary under President Ronald Reagan, called Tillerson “a friend of mine” and “an excellent choice to head the State Department”.