President Trump has removed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo in a move that stunned Washington with its timing.
“Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State,” Trump tweeted shortly after initial reports of the news.
“He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so
Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018
The news was first reported by The Washington Post.
Tillerson and Trump have had a tempestuous relationship, so it was not shocking that Tillerson would be removed.
At the same time, the timing of Tillerson’s firing was a surprise given the diplomatic workload at the moment.
Trump on Thursday shocked the world by accepting an invitation to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, which would make him the first U.S. president to even meet with a North Korea leader.
Trump and Tillerson had repeatedly clashed, most famously when the secretary of State reportedly referred to Trump in private as a “moron.”
The report clearly got under Trump’s skin, and the president responded by challenging his secretary of State to an IQ test.
There were also differences in rhetoric, including on Monday, when Tillerson pointed the finger at Moscow over the poisoning of a double agent and his daughter in London. The White House earlier in the day had notably not blamed Russia for the incident, despite claims from Great Britain’s prime minister.
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JUST IN: Trump ousts Tillerson as secretary of State, will replace him with Pompeo https://t.co/fkOAm6lOVI pic.twitter.com/TAXsvBmcmM
— The Hill (@thehill) March 13, 2018
This was probably in the cards for a while, but the final timing is odd. He was heading home for NK meeting. But said Russia was guilty of poisoning spy. Fired by the time he gets home. Coulda fired him in Africa.
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) March 13, 2018
Remarkable statement from State Department spokesman on Tillerson firing: pic.twitter.com/iBpLaK1tXw
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 13, 2018
Omg. A State Dept official says Tillerson learned he was fired from Trump's tweet, per @CNN
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) March 13, 2018
The media has been speculating that I fired Rex Tillerson or that he would be leaving soon – FAKE NEWS! He’s not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!https://t.co/FrqiPLFJ1E
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Once again we see the president’s definition of “fake news” — accurate news the president doesn’t like being reported. The Tillerson departure has been in the works for months. https://t.co/xXpBS0Fiob
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 13, 2018
And the revolving door continues to spin. An undersecretary and an aide were canned today too.
Tillerson really wasn’t suited for the job. Ok, he had experience dealing with foreign governments, but in a business setting. I don’t believe he had skills or experience in diplomacy.
Still, all these comings and goings are unnerving. I wonder what our allies think.
And I’ll bet our enemies think the constant change is a sign of weakness.
Trump couldn’t keep Tillerson if he is going to bad mouth Russia . Russian would not allow it and Trump cannot upset Putin. Also Tillerson spoke out about Trump’s intended NK meeting. Trump can’t have that either. He is planning on that meeting to pretend he is a big bad leader that can solve any and all of the world’s problems. It’s another one of his side shows. Instead of the bearded lady Trump will have the nutty NK dictator meeting with the nutty POTUS to shake hands for a grand photo op. Then the next day NK will respond with another nuclear test and crazy rhetoric. Trump will blame that on someone else and move onto the next sideshow just before his big parade.
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