Taps Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state despite Putin ties

Trump named Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his secretary of state pick, lauding him as a dealmaker even though Tillerson has no public-sector experience and was awarded Russia's Order of Friendship for his work with Vladimir Putin. The choice immediately drew bipartisan alarm that the future top diplomat would blur U.S. foreign policy with Exxon's business interests and Moscow's agenda.

"He will be a forceful and clear-eyed advocate for America's vital national interests and help reverse years of misguided foreign policies." — Transition statement