Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took the oath of office on the promise to root American foreign policy in a trio of “ancient truths” enumerated by President Trump at the ceremony.
Trump opened the ceremony on a somber note, observing that he was returning from a meeting with the family of a Navy SEAL who was killed while conducting a raid on an al Qaeda outpost in Yemen. His remarks, brief as they were, contained an elaboration on the “America first” theme he sounded at Inauguration Day.
“It’s time to bring a clear-eyed focus to foreign affairs, to take a fresh look at the world around us, and to seek new solutions grounded in very ancient truths,” Trump said before Vice President Mike Pence swore Tillerson into office.
Those three truths are that “[1] Nations have a right to protect their interests; [2] that all people have a right to freely pursue their own destiny and [3] that all of us are better off when we act in concert, and not in conflict. And there’s rarely been conflict like we have in the world today — very sad.”
Those maxims built on the declaration, made in Trump’s inaugural address, that “a new vision” would guide his administration. “We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world, but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first,” he said during the speech.
“We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example. We will shine for everyone to follow.”
Tillerson kept brief his first remarks as the nation’s top diplomat, after thanking Trump and the team that helped him prepare for the confirmation.
“I’ve also received an enormous outpouring of wonderful messages from people all over the country whom I do not know,” Tillerson said.
“And it’s their messages that are really going to stand in steadfast reminder to me as I enter the responsibilities of secretary of state, that as I serve this president, I serve their interests and will always represent the American people at all times.”
