Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took the stand Monday afternoon as a government witness in the foreign agent trial for Trump ally Tom Barrack.
Tillerson, the first Trump administration official to testify in the case, drew from his expertise in international affairs as secretary of state and former CEO of Exxon Mobil, along with his work with Barrack during the early years of the Trump administration. Barrack is accused of using his power in President Donald Trump’s inner circle to influence U.S. policy on behalf of the United Arab Emirates without going through proper channels.
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Federal law states that U.S. citizens must notify the attorney general if they “agree to operate within the United States subject to the direction or control of a foreign government,” according to Section 951 of the 1917 Espionage Act. Although the law was initially used for traditional espionage, courts have expanded the portion to cover influence or lobbying endeavors. However, Barrack’s defense claimed he acted as a private citizen when it came to his contact with the UAE.
During the first two weeks of the trial, jurors were shown emails and text messages from Barrack to his other co-defendants. Jurors also heard testimony from members of law enforcement and an expert on monarchies in the gulf region.
Tillerson’s appearance was announced in a court filing over the weekend, and he was expected to take the stand on Tuesday. However, lawyers for Barrack asked the court to move it to Monday because of Yom Kippur, the Jewish new year.
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Barrack’s former assistant Matthew Grimes faces the same charge. A third person, Emirati businessman Rashid Al Malik who served as the mediator, is still at large.
Barrack could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He also faces a conspiracy charge that would carry an additional sentence of five years if convicted.
