UPDATING: Rudy Giuliani Dropped From Secretary of State Search – ExxonMobil CEO Now at Top of List
Rex Tillerson Has Strong Ties to Vladimir Putin
One of Donald Trump’s most steadfast and loyal allies and surrogates, Rudy Giuliani, will not become Secretary of State, despite – or because of – heavily campaigning for the prestigious cabinet position. Giuliani, who once topped the list, has now been dropped from it, according to CNN.
New: Trump team has told Rudy Giuliani he is not getting the Secretary of State job #CNN pic.twitter.com/krlQeF0BQW
— Lisa Mirando (@LisaMirandoCNN) December 9, 2016
Replacing the former New York City mayor as a top contender to head the State Department is ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson.
Trump looking closely at ExxonMobile CEO Tillerson for Secretary of State. Giuliani told he was out of the running https://t.co/mrq4iBfR5y
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) December 9, 2016
Like Trump himself, Tillerson poses an extreme conflict of interest for the administration and the American people. He has strong ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, whose economy is based on oil and gas.
A Tillerson nomination “would introduce the potential for sticky conflicts of interest because of his financial stake in Exxon, which explores for oil and gas on six of the world’s seven continents and has operations in more than 50 countries,” The Wall Street Journal observes. “He owns Exxon shares worth $151 million, according a recent securities filing.”
“He has had more interactive time with Vladimir Putin than probably any other American with the exception of Henry Kissinger,†John Hamre, former deputy defense secretary during the Clinton administration and president of a Washington think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the Journal.Â
“In 2011, Mr. Tillerson struck a deal giving Exxon access to prized Arctic resources in Russia as well as allowing Russia’s state oil company, OAO Rosneft, to invest in Exxon concessions all over the world. The following year, the Kremlin bestowed the country’s Order of Friendship decoration on Mr. Tillerson.”
Calling the deal “transformative,” the Journal notes that it was effectively dissolved after the Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia. Those sanctions, which Tillerson has publicly opposed, likely will be lifted under President Trump.
Tillerson’s financial holdings shouldn’t be the only concern. Clearly a oil and gas magnate creating and enforcing U.S. foreign policy around the world could easily make those choices through that lens rather than, say, through the lens of human rights or even what’s best for the American people.
UPDATE: 4:25 PM EST –
Trump statement says Giuliani removed his name from consideration late last month:
Trump statement: Rudy Giuliani removed himself from consideration for Secretary of State pic.twitter.com/Dcyk8J243X
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) December 9, 2016
UPDATE II: 4:47 PM EST –
Oops. Via CNN producer:
The next day he was named as one of the four finalists & Conway mentioned him as contender as recently as this morning https://t.co/0F8ZsMmiEz
— Terence Burlij (@burlij) December 9, 2016
Â
Image by premier.gov.ru via Wikimedia and a CC License
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.