Trump secretary of state nominee grilled over Russia, Putin, sanctions

WASHINGTON -- Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, faced a barrage of questions -- and elicited some intense skepticism -- over the incoming administration's approach toward Russia at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday morning, evading several pointed questions about sanctions and Vladimir Putin's culpability for war crimes.

At one point, Tillerson suggested to Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) that he and Trump had not yet thoroughly discussed their policies toward Russia. "That's pretty amazing," Menendez said.

Tillerson said he and Trump had discussed the president-elect's international vision in broad terms.

The pressure came not only from Democrats, but, more worryingly for Tillerson, from one Republican, Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), who aggressively prodded the nominee and expressed dissatisfaction with the answers he got.

Republicans have only a one-seat advantage on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, so even one defection could sink Trump's most high-profile cabinet nominee. But some Republicans have joined Democrats in worrying over ties between Trump and Russia, a concern heightened by Tillerson's nomination and intelligence agency reports on Russia's role in meddling in November's election.

Rubio wasted no time in pressing Tillerson, the ExxonMobil CEO who has had extensive business dealings in Russia and received a medal of friendship from Putin.

"Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?" Rubio asked.

"I would not use that term," Tillerson said.

"Well let me describe the situation in Aleppo," Rubio shot back, "and perhaps that will help you reach that conclusion."

Rubio then rattled off an account of atrocities in the Syrian civil war, including attacks on schools, that he said were supported by Russia. Tillerson, however, said he would want to review classified information to be sure of who was behind those actions before labeling anyone a war criminal.

"Those are very, very serious charges to make and I would want to have much more information before reaching a conclusion," he said. Tillerson similarly hedged when Rubio asked about the suspicious deaths of political dissidents, journalists and Putin critics, saying he would need more information before assessing responsibility.

"None of this is classified," Rubio said. "These people are dead."

The senator also said it was "troubling" when Tillerson hedged on questions about imposing sanctions in response to cyber-attacks. Tillerson said such penalties would have to be weighed against other factors when dealing with a given country, including past relations or American business interests.

Menendez came next, pressing Tillerson to acknowledge that Russia had violated international norms with its behavior in Syria and seizing of territory in Ukraine. Tillerson agreed, but could not say if Trump felt the same way.

"The president-elect and I have not had the opportunity to discuss this specific issue or these specific areas," Tillerson said, an assertion that stunned Menendez.

He questioned how Tillerson would transition from leading a business to representing American values.

"Diplomacy is not the same as deal making," said Menendez, the committee's one-time chairman. "Your shareholders are the American people and their security and their interests."

His allies said Tillerson's expertise as ExxonMobil CEO would serve him well.

"The depth and breadth of his experience as an accomplished and successful business leader and skilled negotiator give him a solid understanding of our current geopolitical and economic challenges, making him uniquely qualified to serve in this important office," said his home state, Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas).

The hearing was interrupted several times by Greenpeace protesters who called on Senators to "be brave!" and reject Tillerson. "My home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy!" one called out, seeming to blame climate change, and the oil industry, for the storm.

The hearing, which began at 9 a.m., was ongoing at noon. The committee chairman suggested that it may go long enough to require more time on Thursday.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed comments from a Tillerson supporter, former Sen. Sam Nunn (D., Ga.), to Tillerson. 

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