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.
Subscribe to 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.
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
The US Open's controversial 'superstars' doubles formatTalking Point New shortened competition attracts star pairings and bigger audiences to grand slam tennis event
-
Crossword: August 21, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutionalSpeed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Judges: Threatened for ruling against TrumpFeature Threats against federal judges across the U.S. have surged since Donald Trump took office
-
The census: Why Trump wants a new oneFeature Donald Trump is pushing for a 'Trumpified census' that excludes undocumented immigrants
-
The red state push to join the DC occupationIN THE SPOTLIGHT Republican governors are increasingly eager to volunteer their state's National Guard troops for Trump's ostensibly anti-crime siege of the nation's capital
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summitSpeed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
Trump extends power with D.C. police takeoverFeature Donald Trump deploys 500 law enforcement officers and 800 National Guard members to fight crime in Washington, D.C.
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps upSpeed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless
-
Ukraine, European leaders to meet Trump after Putin talksSpeed Read Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week
