Trump taps former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to head Energy Department he once vowed to abolish

President-elect Donald Trump picked Rick Perry to head the Energy Department on Wednesday, seeking to put the former Texas governor in control of an agency whose name he forgot during a presidential debate even as he vowed to abolish it. Perry, who ran for president in the past two election cycles, is likely to shift the department away from renewable energy and toward fossil fuels, whose production he championed while serving as governor for 14 years.

Why Rex Tillerson?

Since becoming Exxon's CEO in 2006, and before that as head of the oil giant's international division, Tillerson has presided over operations in some 200 countries, positions that put him in contact with a global rogues' gallery of strongmen from Russia's Vladimir Putin to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Chad's Idriss Deby to Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh. That experience, according to friends and allies, makes him well-suited to go toe to toe with some of the world's nastiest people.

Trump’s Tillerson Pick Gives Keystone XL a Friend in D.C.

President-elect Donald Trump's plan to put a supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline into a crucial decision-making position may give the controversial pipeline a leg up. If approved as Secretary of State, Exxon Mobil Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson would be in a position to approve the pipeline's presidential permit, a requirement for energy projects that cross an international border.

Why is Rex Tillerson as secretary of state so controversial?

Boosters of Donald Trump's candidate to be the next secretary of state talk about his experience leading one of the world's largest companies -- and so do his detractors. Fans of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson say running a global energy company equips the 64-year-old with the management tools needed to represent the US abroad.

The Latest: Trump praises Speaker Ryan at Wisconsin rally

President-elect Dona... . FILE- In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between... Two Colorado electors are appealing a judge's ruling that they must vote for the presidential candidate who won their state's popular vote.

Trump’s Secretary Of State Nominee Could Face Criticism From Anti-Exxon Crusaders

Rex Tillerson, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, testifies about the company's acquisition of XTO Energy before the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington in this January 20, 2010 file photo. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/Files President-elect Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state will likely face the ire of Democrats who believe the oil man helped hide decades-worth of climate research.

Tillerson nomination puts ExxonMobil’s gay rights record in the spotlight

The Senate should take a hard look at ExxonMobil's record on gay rights when it considers the nomination of Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, a leading advocacy organization says. The Human Rights Campaign, which ranks corporations on how they treat LGBTQ employees, has consistently given Exxon poor grades.

Met police have received 106 allegations of sex abuse at 32 London …

Kanye West meets The Donald at Trump Tower! The president-elect embraces his 'friend' and escorts him out after meeting as Ivanka looks on - but did the rapper offer to perform at his inauguration? Now Obama slams Trump for inviting the Russians to hack Hillary's emails to prove his own 'conspiracy theories' - and blames voters for being 'obsessed' with Wikileaks dumps Why has the CIA changed its tune? Chairman of House intelligence committee says latest statements on Russian 'election hack' conflict with earlier briefings Trump picks Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State: The Donald hails Exxon CEO as one of the truly great business leaders, and plugs his work in Russia 'I woke up in the night and felt a cold breath on my neck': People reveal their TERRIFYING encounters with the 'paranormal' From Joanna the singing schoolgirl to Liam Neeson's lovesick stepson Sam, where the cast of Love ... (more)

Donald Trump’s pick to head State Department recommended by lobbyist to Exxon, Russia

Late Monday, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team quietly announced that it was postponing his first post-election conference, meant to address potential conflicts of interests for the incoming commander-in-chief. Then early Tuesday, Trump announced his selection of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State and lined up former Republican government officials with ties to ExxonMobil and Russia's state-run gas company to vouch for the career oil man with no experience in government.

The Latest: Brazil’s Temer and Trump discuss economic growth

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia.

Wall Street Breakfast: Fed In Focus After Trump Reshapes Markets

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Exxon-Mobil Corporation chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson . Photo: Reuters

President-elect Donald Trump announced Exxon-Mobil Corporation's Rex Tillerson as his choice for secretary of state on Tuesday, praising the business leader as a successful international dealmaker who has led a global operation. Trained as an engineer, the silver-haired oilman is 64 and has never worked in government, but his global deal-making experience could be an asset in defending US interests.

Donald Trump makes it official: Rexa

President-elect Donald Trump officially nominated Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of State on Tuesday, setting up a possible confirmation battle over the nominee's business ties to Russia. While Democrats and even some Republicans raised questions about Tillerson and Russia -- which is accused of interference in the recent presidential election -- Trump praised his fellow businessman as "a world class player" who has led one of the world's largest corporations.

Trump picks ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state

President-elect Donald Trump has picked as his secretary of state Rex Tillerson, the chief executive of ExxonMobil, setting up a possible confrontation with members of his own party in the Senate, according to a person involved in the transition. Since Tillerson's name emerged as a candidate for the post, leading Republicans have expressed reservations about his years of work in Russia and the Middle East on behalf of the multinational petroleum company.

Tillerson choice for State Department raises questions of corporate vs. national interest

ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson speaks during the IHS CERAWeek 2015 energy conference in Houston, Texas April 21, 2015. REUTERS/Daniel Kramer/File Photo The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.