August 27, 2017

Tillerson: Trump Doesn’t Speak for the State Department

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson talks to Chris Wallace today about American values:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl7iZUTTrD0

Here’s a paraphrase:

WALLACE: Foreign leaders are questioning the president’s values.

TILLERSON: The State Department represents American values.

WALLACE: And the president?

TILLERSON: No one doubts the commitment of the American government.

WALLACE: And the president?

TILLERSON: The president speaks for himself.

WALLACE: But not for you?

TILLERSON: I’ve made my own comments about that.

So Tillerson has now joined Mnuchin, Cohn, Mattis, and the service chiefs in distancing himself from his president. Cabinet meetings must be a real joy these days.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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