Trump, Tillerson scoff at departure reports
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump tweeted Friday that reports he would soon fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were ‘‘fake news.’’
The tweet came just hours after Tillerson called reports that the White House wants him to resign ‘‘laughable.’’
In his tweet, Trump wrote, ‘‘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!’’
The tweet was Trump's strongest endorsement of his top diplomat since senior White House officials on Thursday began telling reporters that a plan had been devised to push Tillerson out and replace him with CIA chief Mike Pompeo. Immediately after those reports emerged, Trump offered only tepid support for Tillerson, noting only that he was at the White House for a previously scheduled meeting.
The halfhearted backing had threatened to impair Tillerson's effectiveness, particularly as he prepares for an official trip to Europe next week.
But in a brief appearance before reporters Friday with Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of Libya, Tillerson was asked about the White House plan.
‘‘It’s laughable,’’ he said, and then repeated: ‘‘It’s laughable.’’
On Friday, Tillerson attended two meetings at the White House with Trump — one with the visiting prime minister and then a lunch with the president and Defense Secretary James Mattis.
Tillerson aides said the secretary remained comfortable in his role despite the turmoil in Trump's national security team centering on him. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Although Tillerson looks safe for now, he will be losing a senior aide and conduit to the public in coming weeks.
R.C. Hammond, who has run State Department strategic communications since Tillerson took office, will leave his post in mid-December, officials said.