Andrea Mitchell just had some interesting info about Tillerson (on MSNBC).

[kstewart33]

He's soon on his way on a major Asian trip (e.g., Japan and South Korea). However, as has been reported, no press will accompany him on the trip.

Andrea: This is unprecedented in State Department trips and she's been covering foreign affairs at least since the 1980s. She said that press people always travel on the same plane as the secretary.

Also, the Department does not presently have a Deputy Secretary. So while Tillerson is on his trip, a major Mexico official will visit the US and see Trump. In the Secretary's absence, the Deputy always attends all such White House meetings with the visiting official. That won't happen this time, which is also unprecedented, according to Andrea.

Also, she said that the State Department was not even aware of the upcoming visit by the Mexican official (sorry, I didn't get the guy's title).

[sunonmars]

1. This is all so they can deny everything about who they are meeting.

[bettyellen]

7. They are avoiding taking notes and refusing to answer questions ....

They work for us, dammit.

[Angry Dragon]

2. I believe he is the foreign minister

[progree]

19. "foreign minister"? Well, them Mexicans are all foreign. Minister? Is he a preacher man?

[Vinca]

3. I think they want to hide Tillerson since he's only there as a figurehead while they destroy

the State Department for Putin.

[elehhhhna]

21. I think the over under on Tillerson's resignation is in six months tops

He's not gonna destroy his reputation for this asshole Trump

[Angry Dragon]

4. also real close to Russia

[Ilsa]

18. Yep. It'll be easy for someone to slip in and give Tillerson new instructions for 45. NT

[caroldansen]

5. Tillerson is even wealthier than trump. Could it be thats where hes hiding his money? Japan,

South Korea. Of course he wouldn't want the press to go. Would he?

[Phoenix61]

6. Tillerson was appointed for one and only one reason

To get the oil flowing out of Russia.

[Achilleaze]

8. yet another republican FU to the people of America and their press

[poli-junkie]

9. Yesterday Tillerson said he will recuse himself from Keystone XL

Why would he make this announcement while he's simultaneously going to Asia? When Keystone XL was heavily debated during the Obama years, it was reported that, contrary to what the repukes were saying, only 3,000 temporary jobs would be created, and that when the oil makes its way down to Gulf of Mexico, it would NOT be sold in the US, but to CHINA.

I think Tillerson is going to China to make good on resurrecting the Keystone XL deal, but hiding his mission with his simultaneous recusal.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. Maybe to beg for Kushner's neck?

Dear son in law has billiions in loans from China.
Some of them have payments due.
He does not have billions in money to pay them.

Interesting.....

[progressoid]

10. Jesus H. What a clusterfuck.

[slumcamper]

16. Stunning ignorance of protocol. Reckless and irresponsible.

Nobody in this administration is exhibiting any degree of measured thought or caution relative to our government or its actions. They're shooting from the hip and violating the public trust with every breath.

[dewsgirl]

11. But Spicer said, ...I know, I hate that we have to pretend to even believe them.

He said, that Tillerson was going there alone, to save money and that there was no room the press, but he was going to meet them there. He doesn't speak anyway, only poses for those weird photo ops.

[Me.]

12. Save What Money?

The press is charged big bucks for seats on the plane and more tahn pay their freight...hence...another bigly fat lie

[HipChick]

14. I'm not pretending....I do not believe anything coming out of the WH...they are hiding stuff

[rickford66]

15. I always figured we'd be a 3rd world country some day.

This administration is speeding up the transition. In a way it will take the pressure off of us having to be the leaders of the free world. We can sit back and get all that foreign aid from the next leader.

[Stonepounder]

17. The 'Major Official' from Mexico was the Mexican equivalent of SecState.

But State Dept didn't even know he was coming. Trump is destroying State Dept, just as his Russian masters want.

[bucolic_frolic]

20. Everything is being done in secrecy

No press, no staff

Rule by Secrecy

The American public should be in an outrage

[Bucky]

22. FAKE!

Haha. Looks like the Trumpanzies pissed off the wrong woman