Tillerson out as Trump’s secy of state, replaced by Pompeo
Washington, March 13: Donald Trump Tuesday sacked his top diplomat Rex Tillerson and named current CIA chief Mike Pompeo to succeed him, ending a rocky tenure by the Texas oilman who had been sidelined on the world stage by the mercurial President.
The outgoing secretary of state, who returned before dawn from a trip to Africa, did not speak to the President before his sacking was announced and was unaware of the reason for his sudden downfall, according to a top aide.
A senior White House official said the President wanted to reshuffle his team with a view to launching talks with North Korea, following last week’s spectacular announcement of a meeting between Mr Trump and Kim JongUn.
Mr Trump had scant words of praise for Mr Tillerson, who had long been rumoured to be about to be pushed out.
“A great deal has been accomplished over the last fourteen months, and I wish him and his family well,” Mr Trump said, thanking Mr Tillerson “for his service.” But addressing reporters before leaving on a trip to California, Mr Trump spoke openly of his disagreements with the former Exxon chief — including over the Iran nuclear deal — as he explained his decision to replace him.
“We got along actually quite well but we disagreed on things,” Mr Trump said.
Tillerson learned he had been fired when a top aide showed him Trump’s tweet. He had, however, gotten an oblique warning when White House chief of staff John F. Kelly said, ‘ You may get a tweet.’
Washington, March 13: Gina Haspel, US President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the first woman to lead the CIA, is a veteran, who once reportedly ran a secret prison in Thailand where terrorism suspects were allegedly subjected to harsh interrogation techniques like waterboarding. In a surprise move, Trump announced on Tuesday that he was removing secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, and replacing him with CIA director Mike Pompeo and elevating Ms Haspel, who was his deputy. The senate must vote on 61- year- old Ms Haspel’s confirmation to succeed Mr Pompeo.
Ms Haspel, who joined the CIA in 1985, earned high- level awards during her career.