Win Without War Statement on Confirmation of Rex Tillerson
Last Updated on February 1, 2017.
WASHINGTON DC — Win Without War released the following statement following the Senate confirmation of former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as the next Secretary of State:
Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson should not be the next U.S. Secretary of State. Given his lack of government experience, personal conflicts of interest, questionable ties to foreign governments, climate science denial, and indifference to human rights abuses around the world, Mr. Tillerson did not meet the high standards our nation demands of a nominee to become America’s chief diplomat. With 43 votes against, today’s historic opposition to Mr. Tillerson’s nomination demonstrates just how unfit for this position he is.
It’s disappointing that the Senate Republicans chose not to join the overwhelming majority Democrats in opposing Mr. Tillerson. But now that he has been confirmed, it will be imperative that he work to rein in the worst impulses of the Trump Administration, particularly White House Chief Strategist, and right-wing extremist Steve Bannon. Mr. Bannon was recently elevated to a key position on the National Security Council where press reports indicate he is already shaping the Trump Administration’s national security and foreign policy.
The presence of Bannon — a white nationalist with dangerous delusions about Muslims, immigrants, and countless others, a man who wants to upend global order that enables win-win cooperation, and who once suggested the U.S. go to war with China — on the NSC should concern all Americans, regardless of party allegiance. In his new position, Mr. Tillerson should immediately, and publicly denounce the politicization of America’s national security represented by Mr. Bannon’s position on the NSC.
Finally, with Mr. Tillerson confirmed, the Senate’s attention will turn to Trump’s yet to be named nominee for Deputy Secretary of State. With reports indicating that Trump is considering the likes of former Bush administration official and war hawk John Bolton, and Elliott Abrams, another former Bush administration official and neoconservative who was convicted of charges related to the Iran-Contra scandal, we will be monitoring the process closely and urge the Senate to reject these nominees, or others whose dangerous ideology and disastrous track records render them unfit for this position.
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For further comment, questions, or discussion on these matters, please feel free to contact Stephen Miles, Win Without War’s Director, at Stephen@winwithoutwar.org or 504-289-3594, or Ben Armbruster, Global Progressive Hub’s Communications Director, at barmbruster@globalprogressivehub.org or 202-247-7133
February 1, 2017