The Trump administration denied ExxonMobil's request for a waiver from U.S. sanctions to work with Russia, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced Friday. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who formerly served as Exxon's CEO, recused himself from the deliberations. The Wall Street Journal noted earlier this week that it is not clear whether Exxon applied for the waiver before or after Tillerson was confirmed to lead the State Department.