Tillerson

lationship has been very good, and that’s what I need as secretary of State.”

Trump said in a statement that at the State Department, Pompeo “will continue our program of restoring America’s standing in the world, strengthening our alliances, confronting our adversaries, and seeking the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Before his departure to California, Trump said he got along with Tillerson but they disagreed on things. Trump cited the Iran nuclear deal in particular: “I think it’s terrible. I guess he feels it was OK.” He complimented Tillerson for “his commitment and his service, and I wish him well. He’s a good man.”

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will be acting secretary of State.

In a statement from the White House, Pompeo said that, if confirmed, “I look forward to guiding the world’s finest diplomatic corps in formulating and executing the president’s foreign policy.”

Gina Haspel, deputy director of the CIA, would become the first female director of the CIA.

The Pompeo and Haspel nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.

The administration’s critics described Tillerson’s dismissal as another sign of administration disarray.

“The instability of this administration in just about every area weakens America,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. “If he’s confirmed, we hope that Mr. Pompeo will turn over a new leaf and will start toughening up our policies towards Russia and (President Vladimir) Putin.”