Since ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson was announced as President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of State, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has been questioned as to whether or not he approves. Paul, having been highly critical of Trump's picks for the position, but one thing he repeatedly told those who asked is that his approval would come a long way if Tillerson agrees with both he and Donald Trump that the Iraq war was a mistake.
During Tillerson's hearing, Paul finally got his opportunity.
"They say that those who refuse to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past," began Paul.
"President-elect has said that the Iraq war was a big, fat mistake," continued Paul. "He said this many, many, many times. I was wondering if you agree with the statement, and if you do agree with the statement, how it will inform your judgement as to the future of the Middle East and the conflicts we are engaging or possibly engaged in in the Middle East."
Tillerson's answer is one that Paul had been hoping for.
"Senator, I alluded to the Iraq war in my opening comments when I indicated that actions over the past decades, while well intended, had unintended consequences that in the end did not achieve the stability that we sought, or the national security," responded Tillerson.
"And I think in that regard the decision to go into Iraq, change leadership in Iraq, upon reflection perhaps did not achieve those objectives," he continued. "We do not have a more stable region in the world, and our national security has not been enhanced. We're still certainly under threat today."
Paul seemed overall pleased with Tillerson's answers, and by his own word, would approve Tillerson as Secretary of State now that we know how Tillerson feels about the Iraq war.
