Peters Statement in Opposition to Rex Tillerson Nomination as Secretary of State

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, today released the following statement in opposition of former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State:

“Like many Americans, I was alarmed by the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia was behind the cyber-attacks and misinformation campaign designed to interfere with our election. Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine and other regions, as well as their efforts to undermine the critical NATO alliance, are a threat to America and our allies. At a time when we should be sending a clear message to Vladimir Putin that his actions will not be tolerated, I am extremely disappointed that President Trump chose Rex Tillerson - an individual with extensive ties to business and political leaders in Russia - as his Secretary of State nominee. While Mr. Tillerson may have received Russia’s Order of Friendship award from Vladimir Putin, make no mistake: Russia is no friend to the United States. 

“Additionally, I am concerned about Mr. Tillerson’s failure to fully recognize the extent of climate change as a top national security threat that must be addressed through American leadership on the world stage. For these reasons, I cannot support Mr. Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.”