President-elect Donald Trump has officially selected Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, much to the alarm of Democrats and some Republicans.
"Like others in the new Trump Cabinet, the ExxonMobil chief executive lacks any experience in government but will try to apply his experience in the business world to the realm of diplomacy," says the Washington Post.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What is Tillerson's background?
Born in Texas in 1952, Tillerson graduated with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1975. He then spent four decades at what is now Exxon Mobil, working his way up to become chief executive in 2006. Trump claims the businessman's career is "the embodiment of the American dream". He has four children and lives in Irving, Texas.
What about his ties with Russia?
In saying he will nominate Tillerson, Trump is "dismissing bipartisan concerns the globe-trotting leader of an energy giant has a too-cosy relationship with Vladimir Putin", says the New York Post. Both Republicans and Democrats have already warned Tillerson will face "intense scrutiny over his two-decade relationship with Russia, which awarded him its Order of Friendship in 2013", says the newspaper. His company also has billions of dollars in oil contracts that can only go forward if the US lifts sanctions against Russia.
Will he definitely become secretary of state?
The nomination needs Senate approval and Trump faces a potential confrontation with members of his own party. According to CNN, one official has said there is a plan to sell Tillerson to sceptical senators, with the transition team confident the more lawmakers get to know him, the more comfortable they will be with his appointment.
-
The rise of runcationsThe Week Recommends Lace up your running shoes and hit the trails on your next holiday
-
Amorim follows Maresca out of Premier League after ‘awful’ seasonIn the Spotlight Manchester United head coach sacked after dismal results and outburst against leadership, echoing comments by Chelsea boss when he quit last week
-
January’s books feature a revisioned classic, a homeschooler's memoir and a provocative thriller dramedyThe Week Recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Call Me Ishmaelle’ by Xiaolu Guo, ‘Homeschooled: A Memoir’ by Stefan Merrill Block, ‘Anatomy of an Alibi’ by Ashley Elston and ‘Half His Age’ by Jennette McCurdy
-
Venezuela’s Trump-shaped power vacuumIN THE SPOTLIGHT The American abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has thrust South America’s biggest oil-producing state into uncharted geopolitical waters
-
Trump says US ‘in charge’ of Venezuela after Maduro grabSpeed Read The American president claims the US will ‘run’ Venezuela for an unspecified amount of time, contradicting a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio
-
‘Let 2026 be a year of reckoning’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Jack Smith: Trump ‘caused’ Jan. 6 riotSpeed Read
-
Wave of cancellations prompts Kennedy Center turmoilIN THE SPOTLIGHT Accusations and allegations fly as artists begin backing off their regularly scheduled appearances
-
Trump considers giving Ukraine a security guaranteeTalking Points Zelenskyy says it is a requirement for peace. Will Putin go along?
-
Why is Trump’s alleged strike on Venezuela shrouded in so much secrecy?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Trump’s comments have raised more questions than answers about what his administration is doing in the Southern Hemisphere
-
Vance’s ‘next move will reveal whether the conservative movement can move past Trump’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
