Former Vice President Dick Cheney is throwing his support behind President-elect Trump's nomination of Rex Tillerson to serve as secretary of state.

The Cheney endorsement marks the fourth prominent official from the George W. Bush administration to wholeheartedly back Tillerson, a native Texan.

Earlier Tuesday, Bush's Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley cheered Trump's decision to choose the Exxon Mobil CEO.



In praising Tillerson for the post, Cheney said he has known him for many years, considers him a personal friend and predicted he would do a "superb job."

"He has the vast experience, ability and judgment to deal with the very dangerous world we find confronting us," he said. "His extensive knowledge of the global situation will be an asset in representing our nation."

Like Tillerson, Cheney has also led an energy company, having worked as CEO of Halliburton before serving as vice president.

"As the chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil, he has operated in nations all over the world and managed one of our largest corporations," Cheney added. "I'm confident that he will do a superb job promoting our national interests in dealing with the complex and difficult choices that are on the agenda for the next administration."

The glowing testimonies from the Bush administration officials sharply contrast with skepticism from three Republicans in Congress. Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida have all said they will sharply scrutinize Tillerson's selection and have expressed early reservations about his close business ties to Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.