Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said Friday he will oppose the nomination of Rex Tillerson for secretary of state.
“He has a notable record of business success and a laudable commitment to civic affairs, but he did not demonstrate the awareness, judgment, or independence I expect from our nation’s chief diplomat,” Kaine said in a statement. “The U.S. needs a secretary of state who can put the interests of the nation above any other loyalty. Mr. Tillerson did not give me confidence in his ability to fully do that.”
Kaine, the former running mate of failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, also announced his intention to support Gen. James Mattis’ nomination for secretary of defense.
Kaine was among 24 members of the Senate Armed Services Committee who voted Thursday in favor of approving a waiver for Mattis to serve as the defense secretary. By law, nominees must be out of uniform for seven years before serving, and Mattis retired in 2013.
