HOLLOWING OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The third leg is the continuing influence of Russia in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. For example, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, at least a close business associate of Vladimir Putin, has not hired many top policy makers in the State Department who would be needed to formulate the policies needed to contest successfully with Russia.
Players working to hollow out the federal government
Rex Tillerson,[1] former head of Exxon Mobile, had no government or diplomatic experience before being appointed Secretary of State by Trump. Although Trump had glowing comments to make about his managerial experience, Trumprs10526r did not meet Tillerson until after he had won the Presidency. What was widely known about Tillerson was that he had a close personal relationship with Putin that was awarded Russia’s highest civilian honor. Tillerson may gain more than $184 million from Exxon Mobil over next ten years as a part of his severance. Exxon will certainly benefit if the Trump Administration lifts the sanctions imposed on Russia. What is not clear is how the failure to lift sanctions will affect Tillerson’s payout.
Former Oklahoma attorney general, Scott Pruitt’s [2]primary qualification to be Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency was his 14 challenges of environmental protection rulings. During his tenure as Oklahoma’s attorney general, Pruitt dismantled the office’s environmental protection unit and permitted companies contesting environmental regulations to use the Attorney General’s letterhead to voice their opposition.
Mick Mulvaney, [3] former Congressman and Tea Partier, was instrumental in leading the Tea Party to oppose raising the debt limit and thus was partly responsible for the U.S. credit to be down graded.
Alexander Bortnikov,[4] head of the FSB, formerly known as the KGB, is Putin’s top spy. He was in charge of Russia’s intervention in the U.S. elections.
- Rex Tillerson
- Scott Pruitt
- Mick Mulvaney
- Alexander Bortnikov
Rex Tillerson,[1] former head of Exxon Mobile, had no government or diplomatic experience before being appointed Secretary of State by Trump. Although Trump had glowing comments to make about his managerial experience, Trumprs10526r did not meet Tillerson until after he had won the Presidency. What was widely known about Tillerson was that he had a close personal relationship with Putin that was awarded Russia’s highest civilian honor. Tillerson may gain more than $184 million from Exxon Mobil over next ten years as a part of his severance. Exxon will certainly benefit if the Trump Administration lifts the sanctions imposed on Russia. What is not clear is how the failure to lift sanctions will affect Tillerson’s payout.
Former Oklahoma attorney general, Scott Pruitt’s [2]primary qualification to be Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency was his 14 challenges of environmental protection rulings. During his tenure as Oklahoma’s attorney general, Pruitt dismantled the office’s environmental protection unit and permitted companies contesting environmental regulations to use the Attorney General’s letterhead to voice their opposition.
Mick Mulvaney, [3] former Congressman and Tea Partier, was instrumental in leading the Tea Party to oppose raising the debt limit and thus was partly responsible for the U.S. credit to be down graded.
Alexander Bortnikov,[4] head of the FSB, formerly known as the KGB, is Putin’s top spy. He was in charge of Russia’s intervention in the U.S. elections.