Rex Tillerson is out as secretary of state. But, according to his spokesman, it was not his idea.
WOW: Tillerson had "every intention of staying... did not speak to the President and is unaware of the reason," according to Under Sec of State Goldstein. pic.twitter.com/3i4PDIE4fT
— Conor Finnegan (@cjf39) March 13, 2018
As late as December, President Trump said that any reports he was firing Tillerson were "fake news."
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
President Trump intends to appoint CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson. He wished his outgoing secretary of state "well" outside of the White House Tuesday. He appreciated his commitment and his service, calling him a "good man."
Yet, he admitted that the two men "disagreed on things" like the Iran Deal.