Trump considering two Texans for key cabinet roles
DALLAS - Multiple media outlets are reporting President-elect Donald Trump has picked Irving-based Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State.
Citing sources, the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported Trump has made his decision and will officially announce it on Tuesday.
“To me, a great advantage is he knows many of the players and he knows them well. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company,” Trump said.
But the idea of Tillerson as Secretary of State is coming under fire by both Democrats and Republicans.
Sen. John McCain told FOX News that Putin is a “thug” and Tillerson’s relationship with him is a matter of concern. McCain said he would give Tillerson a fair hearing, though.
“How to look at Russia is clearly a point of difference between Trump and his critics and Trump has tapped people who seem to share his view of Russia as not necessarily an adversary of the United States,” said Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at SMU.
Also, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is still said to be at the top of Trump’s list for Energy Secretary. During his run for president in 2011, Perry infamously couldn’t recall that the Energy Department was one of three federal agencies he wanted to get rid of.
Perry also serves on the board for Energy Transfer Partners, the Dallas-based company whose controversial pipeline project was halted in North Dakota.
Perry spent about an hour and half inside Trump Tower on Monday. He briefly spoke to Trump's pick for National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, before leaving. He didn't speak to journalists and didn't answer when asked if he still wants to get rid of the energy department, the agency he’s believed to be a favorite to head.
Another Texan, Congressman Mike McCaul, is no longer under consideration for the Homeland Security secretary job. On Monday, he said he’s confident Trump's pick, General John Kelly, would serve the country well.