Donald Trump’s disconcerting cabinet picks

SECRETARY OF STATE
Rex Tillerson, 64: ExxonMobil chairman and CEO has extensive dealings with Russia. First met President Vladimir Putin in 1999,
was awarded Kremlin’s Order of Friendship in 2013. Under Tillerson,
Exxon has amassed more drilling rights in Russia than in U.S.*

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
Michael Flynn, 57: Retired Army Lt. Gen. served in Afghanistan and
Iraq and as director of Defence Intelligence Agency from 2012 to
2014, before being sacked. Used social media during election campaign to spread fake news and conspiracy theories

COMMERCE SECRETARY
Wilbur Ross, 79: Former investment banker is harsh critic of
way that U.S. negotiates international deals. Believes, as world’s
“biggest customer,” U.S. should renegotiate trade pacts. Blames NAFTA† agreement with Canada and Mexico for causing massive U.S. job losses

LABOUR SECRETARY
Andrew Puzder, 66: Fast-food CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc., which
runs 3,700 burger restaurants. Vociferous critic of government
regulation and opponent of minimum wage, has argued that higher
minimum wages would stifle growth in restaurant industry

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 
Scott Pruitt, 48:
Oklahoma Attorney General is an ardent opponent of President
Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan – bid to cut greenhouse
gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. Is currently suing EPA
to block its carbon rules

*U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

†North American Free Trade Agreement

Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images