WASHINGTON (AP) — Fired top diplomat Rex Tillerson says he’s praying for America.
Tillerson, in a message sent to U.S. embassies and consulates three days after President Donald Trump ousted him, also told American diplomats he was proud of them and would be cheering for their success.
“Know that I will continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and your efforts to make this world a better place than we found it,” Tillerson said Friday in the message, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
He urged the diplomatic corps to “continue to exhibit the leadership qualities for which you are distinguished” as they prepare for new leadership.
Tillerson, whom Trump unceremoniously fired Tuesday, did not mention the president or his designated successor, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, in the message. But he said the State Department was “in good hands” with its interim chief, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.
“In this time of transition, I know you will continue to exhibit the leadership qualities for which you are distinguished,” he said. “I urge you to remain focused on our shared mission and embrace an orderly and smooth transition process. I have every confidence that you will continue to work diligently to advance our national interests and our values as a nation.”
Tillerson was widely criticized for trying to slash the State Department’s budget and staffing, sending morale plummeting. Nevertheless, he praised the diplomatic corps for their dedication, talent and patriotism as well as their willingness to serve the nation far from home and often at personal risk.
“Although you typically receive little recognition or acclaim for these sacrifices, your uncommon devotion allows hundreds of millions of Americans to live in peace and in freedom,” he said.
Tillerson has relinquished day-to-day responsibilities of the State Department to Sullivan but will continue to hold the secretary of state title until March 31.
Tillerson, who had been seen as a restraining influence on Trump, had clashed with the president over numerous foreign policy matters, including the Paris Climate Accord, the relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the Iran nuclear deal.
After months of speculation about his future in the administration, Trump fired Tillerson just hours after the secretary of state had returned to Washington from a five-nation tour of Africa.
Tillerson: “And now, if you will excuse me, I have a meeting with a Mr. Mueller.”
Ah, behold, the infamous "thoughts and prayers."
Pray, but not pay.
Rex Tillerson Can Keep Tax Break After Leaving Secretary of State Job After a Year
Rex Tillerson has departed as Secretary of State after a year, but he gets to keep one giant perk: a multimillion tax break he received when he left his job as CEO of ExxonMobil to join the Trump Administration.
The tax break — more accurately a tax deferral — came as Tillerson sold his stake in ExxonMobil to avoid a conflict of interest when entering the Administration and likely worked as a significant boost to his net worth, estimated at $330 million by Forbes.
The move allowed him to take advantage of a provision of the federal tax code that permits incoming public officials to sell an asset that poses a potential conflict of interest without paying capital gains tax if the money is invested in a one of a few select places like a diversified mutual fund or a Treasury bond. That investment is only taxable if and when it’s sold.
This means that last January Tillerson was able to sell the $54 million stake in ExxonMobil that he owned fully without paying any capital gains tax. The $180 million payout he was set to in deferred compensation is a little more complicated. That compensation, which was originally intended to be paid in ExxonMobil stock, was moved into a trust that will vest over time.
The move allowed Tillerson to avoid paying an estimated $71 million in capital gains tax up front, though he will still need to pay taxes as he gains access over time. And thanks to Trump’s tax reform the total he will end up paying on that sum will likely be lower than it would have been a year ago.
Beyond the tax break, Tillerson’s deal when he entered office wound up helping the former CEO avoid ExxonMobil’s lagging stock. Shares in the oil and gas giant are current trading at $95, a small decline from around $100 a year ago. But the larger market — which Tillerson likely invested in — has grown significantly with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up nearly 20% in the past year.
There’s at least one big drawback to the deal Tillerson struck with ExxonMobil: he can’t work in the oil and gas industry without losing some of his $170 million payout. With his government career cut short and the energy industry off limits, Tillerson may need to try something entirely new if he decides not to ret
Thoughts and prayers, oh yay! I pray that your thoughts never become law, how about that.
I have to say, I had a lot of respect for Rex Tillerson and saw him as the only adult in this joke of an administration. However, the way he’s handled this departure is cowardly.