a murderer, a thug, a kgb agent. >> reporter: tillerson has had close relations with putin for years, even receiving the russian order of friendship. he created a massive oil partnership with the russians a few years ago. and as secretary of state he would be well positioned to push for a rollback of sanctions that derail the deal, possibly making millions for his old company in the process. and unless he divests his shares, for him too. exxon recently granted tillerson more than 2 million shares of the company worth in excess of $180 million at current prices. congressional democrats already jumpy over reports of russian computer hacks, worry is white hot. >> this is a fight for the soul of our democracy. >> reporter: connecticut's chris murphy sums up what has even some republicans troubled. rex tillerson has spent his entire career putting oil company profits first and the