Does Tillerson's public defiance of State Dept request not to attend oil conference in Russia due to sanctions make him unfit for SecOfState?

Sgt Jerry Genesio — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 15:36:39 -0500

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 10 at 2017 3:52 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 15:52:38 -0500

Problem is "request". There's no legal requirement and Tillerson was responsible to the shareholders, not political will. If State didn't like the idea, they could request additional sanctions that would have covered it. Implementation would likely be well after the conference. Then there's the problem of sanctioning to go after one or a few individual practices. Big Constitutional Law issue there. So I'd suggest the topic be handled very clearly to demonstrate the non-issue it really is. I want to see how he'll run the shop.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2017 3:55 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 15:55:11 -0500

Sgt Jerry Genesio - He was a private citizen - not a military officer or government official. USDOS requests are just that - requests - not orders of any kind. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 10 at 2017 3:56 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 15:56:12 -0500

Right now, he is a private citizen and can do what he pleases. Besides, don't we want better relations with the Russians? I think that is far better than going through a cold war with them...oh wait that's right we tried that already.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 10 at 2017 6:16 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 18:16:53 -0500

Short answer is 'No'. Request, by its very definition is a request. With that said, where was Mr. Tillerson 'publicly defiance' of Department of State's request? I do not recall any mention of our government asking a business, especially multinational businesses, to not attend any conferences or those companies or their leaders making public statements to those effects?

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jan 10 at 2017 6:34 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 18:34:32 -0500

No.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 12 at 2017 8:03 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 08:03:58 -0500

As much as I dislike his choice to become SS he is still the CEO of a major oil corporation until confirmed and DT sworn in. As such his responsibilities are to his shareholders not to following a request from the organization he may soon be head of. Tillerson unfit to be SS for a number of reasons, but ignoring this request isn't one of them.