Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, has come under fire for his friendship with Russian president Vladimir Putin – who is suspected of trying to tip the election to Trump – his lack of diplomatic experience, and the fact that he is a corporate bigwig who champions fossil fuels even as the threat of global warming grows.
But Tillerson, whose nomination was announced Tuesday (December 13), may also face criticism from an unexpected quarter – social conservatives whose support was critical to Trump’s unexpected election last month.
The reason is twofold: while Tillerson headed the Boy Scouts of America from 2010 to 2012 he helped convince the organization to admit gay youths, and ExxonMobil contributes to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services and has become a top target for Christian conservatives.
