Donald Trump said on Twitter Monday he would announce on Tuesday his selection for secretary of state. The New York Times reports that Trump has picked ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson. Here’s the Times:
Romney, who was reportedly still being considered by Trump for the job as America’s top diplomat as recently as late last week, posted a brief message on Facebook Monday night thanking the president-elect for the opportunity. “It was an honor to have been considered for Secretary of State of our great country,” said Romney. “My discussions with President-elect Trump have been both enjoyable and enlightening. I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace.”
After reports emerged last weekend that Tillerson was Trump’s leading choice to run the State Department, some Republican senators expressed concern given the CEO’s close relationship with Russian president and strongman Vladimir Putin. Tillerson negotiated a deal with one of Russia’s state-owned oil company Rosneft in 2011, after which Putin awarded him with the country’s Order of Friendship. He has also criticized U.S. sanctions on Russia following that country’s 2014 invasion of Crimea. The sanctions reportedly cost ExxonMobil around $1 billion.
Republicans John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Marco Rubio have all expressed concern over Tillerson’s ties to Putin, though none have said whether or not they would vote against him following the confirmation hearing. The Washington Post reports a “senior GOP adviser” says as many as seven Republican senators would be “unwilling to vote to confirm” Tillerson.
