I think Rex will be much happier now
US President Donald Trump fired his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson yesterday following months of disagreements. He then nominated CIA director Mike Pompeo to replace him.
Mr Trump said he made the decision himself, citing disagreements with Mr Tillerson that included North Korea diplomacy, steel and aluminium tariffs, and the Iran nuclear agreement.
“I think Rex will be much happier now,” the president said.
Mr Tillerson did not immediately comment, but an aide said he had wanted to stay on as Secretary of State.
As for Mr Pompeo, Mr Trump praised his new nominee’s “tremendous energy, tremendous intellect,” and added “we’re always on the same wavelength. The relationship has been very good and that’s what I need as Secretary of State.”
Mr Trump said that, at the State Department, Mr Pompeo “will continue our programme of restoring America’s standing in the world, strengthening our alliances, confronting our adversaries, and seeking the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”
Before his departure on a trip to California, Mr Trump said he got along with Mr Tillerson, but they disagreed on things. Mr Trump cited the Iran nuclear deal in particular: “I think it’s terrible, he thinks it’s okay.” He also complimented Mr Tillerson for “his commitment and his service, and I wish him well. He’s a good man.”
A State Department official sent out a terse reaction to the sudden news.
Steve Goldstein, undersecretary for public diplomacy, said Mr Tillerson “did not speak to the President and is unaware of the reason” for the decision.
“The Secretary had every intention of staying because of the critical progress made in national security,” Mr Goldstein said. “He will miss his colleagues at the Department of State and the foreign ministers he has worked with throughout the world.”
Mr Trump first announced the move via tweet. He said: “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!”
Mr 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.”
In his time at the CIA, the former Kansas congressman said: “I have worked alongside many remarkable Foreign Service officers and Department of State leaders serving here in the United States and on the very edge of freedom.”
Gina Haspel, currently deputy director of the CIA, will become the agency’s first woman director. She has worked there for 30 years.
Both Mr Pompeo and Ms Haspel must be confirmed by the Senate.
The administration’s critics described Mr Tillerson’s abrupt dismissal as another sign of administration disarray.
“The instability of this administration in just about every area weakens America,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“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 Putin.”
He did not speak to the president and is unaware of the reason