This is the strategy behind Donald Trump’s decision to fire Rex Tillerson
7 years ago

This is the strategy behind Donald Trump’s decision to fire Rex Tillerson

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. I would certainly take that finding as fact.” He wanted to stress, however: “If we get the facts straight we will condemn Russia – or whoever it might be.” Trump would not be drawn on Vladimir Putin’s possible culpability. Brennan had said he was particularly “deeply saddened and angered” when Trump stood in front of the Agency’s memorial for its fallen to make bogus boasts about the size of his inauguration crowd. Donald Trump sacks Rex Tillerson Pompeo also backs Trump’s stance on Iran and efforts to dismantle an agreement which all the other signatories – Britain, France, Germany and Russia – say is working and want to preserve. Senator John McCain, who was tortured as a prisoner during the Vietnam War and who has called the torture of detainees in the Bush era as “one of the darkest chapters in American history”, said: “Ms Haspel needs to explain the nature and extent of her involvement in the CIA’s interrogation program during the confirmation process.” So Trump, beleaguered by special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into his Russia links, and increasingly isolated with just two people from his original senior White House team still around, is making a fresh attempt to gather loyalists around him.

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History of this topic

Marco Rubio became secretary of state without a hitch. Keeping Trump’s favor may be harder
2 months, 1 week ago

Marco Rubio became secretary of state without a hitch. Keeping Trump’s favor may be harder

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — For Marco Rubio, the easy part is over. “Not that I’m looking for every other country to be comfortable with us, but in a way that I think is not alarming.” Rubio’s worldview has been largely shaped by his own history: the son of Cuban immigrants who arrived in Miami in May 1956 “with nothing but the dream …

Tillerson to testify at corruption trial of Trump adviser
2 years, 5 months ago

Tillerson to testify at corruption trial of Trump adviser

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rex …

Tillerson denies Haley's claim that he tried to undermine Trump: She was "rarely" at key meetings
5 years, 4 months ago

Tillerson denies Haley's claim that he tried to undermine Trump: She was "rarely" at key meetings

Salon  

Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson denied that he had attempted to undermine President Donald Trump while in his Cabinet, casting former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, who made the allegation, as a rare participant in key meetings. Haley claimed in her new book “With All Due Respect” that Tillerson and Kelly had urged her to ignore Trump’s demands and …

Rex Tillerson reveals frustrations about Jared Kushner working behind his back
5 years, 9 months ago

Rex Tillerson reveals frustrations about Jared Kushner working behind his back

CNN  

Washington CNN — One evening during his tenure as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was out to dinner in Washington when the restaurant owner asked if he would like to say hello to the Mexican Foreign Minister, Luis Videgaray, who also happened to be at the same establishment. A transcript of that discussion obtained by CNN reveals Tillerson’s frustrations with …

Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson describes Jared Kushner’s secret diplomacy
5 years, 9 months ago

Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson describes Jared Kushner’s secret diplomacy

LA Times  

Jared Kushner, second from left, looks past then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson toward his father-in-law, President Trump, at a meeting in the White House on Sept. 26, 2017. In a remarkable glimpse into President Trump’s unconventional way of running the White House and foreign policy, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has described a string of secret meetings, hidden dinners …

'He was dumb as rock, lazy as hell': Trump lashes out at former secretary of state Rex Tillerson
6 years, 3 months ago

'He was dumb as rock, lazy as hell': Trump lashes out at former secretary of state Rex Tillerson

India TV News  

US President Donald Trump on Friday lashed out at his former secretary of state Rex Tillerson, describing his as 'dumb as a rock' and 'lazy as hell' after the ex-diplomat alleged the president regularly pushed him to take decisions that were "illegal". Trump’s angry tweet on Tillerson came after the former secretary of state, in an interview to CBS News, …

Donald Trump opens fire on 'dumb as a rock' Rex Tillerson, who said President 'doesn't like to read'
6 years, 3 months ago

Donald Trump opens fire on 'dumb as a rock' Rex Tillerson, who said President 'doesn't like to read'

ABC  

Donald Trump has blasted former secretary of state Rex Tillerson in a sharply critical tweet, a day after the nation's former top diplomat publicly recounted that the President had tried to do things in a way that violated the law. Key points: Mr Tillerson said Mr Trump had frequently asked him to do things that he had to explain were …

Mike Pompeo sworn in as Trump’s second secretary of state
6 years, 11 months ago

Mike Pompeo sworn in as Trump’s second secretary of state

CNN  

Washington CNN — Mike Pompeo was sworn in as the 70th US secretary of state Thursday, after the Senate voted to confirm him, 57-42, installing the former CIA Director as the nation’s top diplomat at a time when several high stakes negotiations are underway around the globe. “Having a patriot of Mike’s immense talent, energy, and intellect leading the Department …

Fired Tillerson says farewell to ‘a very mean-spirited town’
7 years ago

Fired Tillerson says farewell to ‘a very mean-spirited town’

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — He came, he saw, he got fired on Twitter. And now Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said farewell, with a parting plea Thursday to America’s diplomats not to let anyone violate their integrity. “But you don’t have to choose to participate in that.” When he arrived in the nation’s capital last year, Tillerson made no secret of …

Fired top diplomat Tillerson says he’s praying for America
7 years ago

Fired top diplomat Tillerson says he’s praying for America

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fired top diplomat Rex Tillerson says he’s praying for America. Tillerson, in a message sent to U.S. embassies and consulates three days after President Donald Trump ousted him, also told American diplomats he was proud of them and would be cheering for their success. Tillerson, whom Trump unceremoniously fired Tuesday, did not mention the president or his designated …

Donald Trump moves closer to presidency of one with Rex Tillerson firing
7 years ago

Donald Trump moves closer to presidency of one with Rex Tillerson firing

Live Mint  

Washington: In accepting the Republican nomination for president in 2016, Donald Trump described a nation plagued with problems and declared: “I alone can fix it.” Now, as he fires top aides who were a moderating force and replaces them with loyalists who share his world view and won’t object to his most controversial impulses, his administration is fast becoming a …

Rex Tillerson to step down by March end
7 years ago

Rex Tillerson to step down by March end

Live Mint  

Washington: Beleaguered secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who was on Tuesday fired on by US President Donald Trump, said he would delegate his responsibilities to his deputy and would step down by end of this month. For technical purposes, Tillerson said he would remain the secretary of state till 31 March and till then he would delegate his responsibilities to …

Donald Trump sacks Rex Tillerson: Mike Pompeo as secretary of state could sound death knell for Iran nuclear deal
7 years ago

Donald Trump sacks Rex Tillerson: Mike Pompeo as secretary of state could sound death knell for Iran nuclear deal

Firstpost  

President Donald Trump’s sacking of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could sound the death knell for the Iran nuclear deal and further strain US ties with key European allies Washington: President Donald Trump’s sacking of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could sound the death knell for the Iran nuclear deal and further strain US ties with key European allies. Countryman …

Donald Trump sacks Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after rifts over Russia, North Korea
7 years ago

Donald Trump sacks Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after rifts over Russia, North Korea

ABC  

US President Donald Trump has unceremoniously fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson via Twitter after a series of public rifts on foreign policy, with the top diplomat taking a swipe at Russia on his way out. Key points: CIA director Mike Pompeo will replace Tillerson Pompeo is to be replaced at the CIA by the agency's first female director — …

Trump sacks Rex Tillerson, replaced by CIA’s Mike Pompeo
7 years ago

Trump sacks Rex Tillerson, replaced by CIA’s Mike Pompeo

Al Jazeera  

US president cites differences with Rex Tillerson as reason for his removal from secretary of state’s post. US President Donald Trump has sacked Rex Tillerson as secretary of state, citing differences, and replaced him with Mike Pompeo, CIA director. In a statement on Tuesday, Trump said that “a great deal has been accomplished over the last 14 months” with Tillerson …

Why Donald Trump is right to purge his Cabinet (opinion)
7 years ago

Why Donald Trump is right to purge his Cabinet (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Timothy Stanley is a historian and columnist for Britain’s Daily Telegraph. Reportedly under consideration is former UN Ambassador John Bolton, a perennial hawk whose appointment might be seen as a repudiation of Trump’s anti-Iraq War, relatively anti-interventionist stance. I will go to my grave never understanding the West’s paradoxical approach to Moscow and Beijing: Russia has been treated, …

Tillerson Vs. Pompeo: What Trump's Cabinet Shake-Up Might Mean For Policy
7 years ago

Tillerson Vs. Pompeo: What Trump's Cabinet Shake-Up Might Mean For Policy

NPR  

Tillerson Vs. Pompeo: What Trump's Cabinet Shake-Up Might Mean For Policy Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Kleponis/Pool/Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images Chris Kleponis/Pool/Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images Shortly after announcing a major shake-up on Twitter on Tuesday, President Trump told reporters, "We're getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want." Trump wished outgoing Secretary …

Rex Tillerson 'found out he had been sacked from Donald Trump's tweet'
7 years ago

Rex Tillerson 'found out he had been sacked from Donald Trump's tweet'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Aides for fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have claimed …

Trump sacking Rex Tillerson is not about policy, it's personal
7 years ago

Trump sacking Rex Tillerson is not about policy, it's personal

Firstpost  

President Donald Trump is telling reporters that he made the decision to oust embattled Secretary of State Rex Tillerson “by myself”. Trump is adding that Tillerson will be “much happier now,” code for the badly kept secret that the two men rarely saw eye to eye on any issue. Meanwhile, as the shock sinks in across Washington D.C, a top …

Donald Trump sacks Rex Tillerson as US secretary of state; CIA director Mike Pompeo to take over
7 years ago

Donald Trump sacks Rex Tillerson as US secretary of state; CIA director Mike Pompeo to take over

Firstpost  

Top diplomat Rex Tillerson will no longer serve as the US secretary of state, President Donald Trump revealed in a tweet on Tuesday. — Donald J. Trump March 13, 2018 Trump announced that CIA director Mike Pompeo would replace Tillerson at the US state department. Quoting a press release by Trump, The Washington Post reported that the president praised both …

Trump fires Rex Tillerson, loyalist Mike Pompeo is new US Secretary of State
7 years ago

Trump fires Rex Tillerson, loyalist Mike Pompeo is new US Secretary of State

Live Mint  

Washington: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was ousted on Tuesday after a turbulent tenure with President Donald Trump, blindsiding the former Exxon Mobil Corp. CEO just hours after he returned from a nearly week-long trip to Africa. I think Rex is much happier now.” Trump said he’s nominating Pompeo for the State Department job, saying “I respect his intellect.” …

Donald Trump fires Tillerson, replaces him with CIA chief Mike Pompeo
7 years ago

Donald Trump fires Tillerson, replaces him with CIA chief Mike Pompeo

Hindustan Times  

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired secretary of state Rex Tillerson, replacing him with CIA chief Mike Pompeo, with whom he said he is on the “same wavelength”. US President Donald Trump ousts top diplomat Rex Tillerson and named Mike Pompeo as he successor at the State Department. Later, talking to reporters, he said: “Rex and I have been …

Trump Ousts Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson
7 years ago

Trump Ousts Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON ― Rex Tillerson is out as secretary of state after just 14 months on the job. “The Secretary did not speak to the President and is unaware of the reason.” The State Department official who contradicted the White House on Tillerson’s firing was also fired, The Associated Press reported. The White House and State Department pushed …

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seeks 'nice, neutral site' for Trump-Kim talks
7 years ago

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seeks 'nice, neutral site' for Trump-Kim talks

India TV News  

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the first meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un should take place at a "nice, neutral site." Tillerson says the first meeting will be about Trump and Kim "getting a sense of one another" and determining whether there is the space and will to accomplish something together on …

Republicans in Congress blindsided by Tillerson firing
7 years ago

Republicans in Congress blindsided by Tillerson firing

CNN  

Washington CNN — Several senior Republican aides in both chambers told CNN they were given no heads up on the President’s decision to replace Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, as well as the move to nominate Gina Haspel as CIA director. “Mike Pompeo is an outstanding selection as our next Secretary of State … While it’s …

New Secretary of State, but same Russia problem for Trump
7 years ago

New Secretary of State, but same Russia problem for Trump

CNN  

Washington CNN — Outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a point to specifically call out Russia in his farewell statement on Tuesday – highlighting an urgent challenge that is now the responsibility of his replacement Mike Pompeo along with Defense Secretary James Mattis. After a year in which President Donald Trump has largely avoided a direct confrontation with Moscow, …

Tillerson’s firing tells the world it’s the Trump-only show
7 years ago

Tillerson’s firing tells the world it’s the Trump-only show

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Nic Robertson is CNN’s international diplomatic editor. 01:20 - Source: CNN Before Tillerson could even complete an exhausting weekend diplomatic shuttle to Beijing with the aim of bringing Kim Jong Un – North Korea’s reclusive leader – back from the brink of potential nuclear Armageddon, Trump tweeted: “I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he …

Tillerson fails to thank Trump after firing
7 years ago

Tillerson fails to thank Trump after firing

CNN  

Washington CNN — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson thanked the American people, his State Department staff and the nation’s extensive network of diplomats in an at times emotional farewell statement on Tuesday. The only mention of Trump came at the top of the statement when Tillerson mentioned that the President had called him at “a little after noontime from Air …

The 9 people Donald Trump might fire next
7 years ago

The 9 people Donald Trump might fire next

CNN  

CNN — Rex Tillerson, after more than a year of semi-public feuding with President Donald Trump, has been fired. He’s the 2nd top Trump White House official to either resign or be fired in the past week – following in the ignominious footsteps of top Trump economic adviser Gary Cohn. He got the dreaded vote of confidence from the White …

Tillerson’s firing proves loyalty is all that matters to Trump
7 years ago

Tillerson’s firing proves loyalty is all that matters to Trump

CNN  

CNN — The hiring of Rex Tillerson as secretary of state was touted as both a coup and a symbol by Donald Trump. “He’s in charge of an oil company that’s pretty much double the size of its next nearest competitor.” Video Ad Feedback Trump: Rex Tillerson is a 'world-class player' 03:08 - Source: CNN Just like the hiring of …

Inside Rex Tillerson’s final days as secretary of state
7 years ago

Inside Rex Tillerson’s final days as secretary of state

CNN  

Washington CNN — Hours before President Donald Trump agreed to meet with Kim Jong Un, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters the US was “a long way” from direct talks with North Korea. The next day, Tillerson was roused from his sleep in a Nairobi, Kenya, hotel room by a call from White House chief of staff John Kelly, …

Longtime diplomat: Tillerson’s public firing makes my head explode (Opinion)
7 years ago

Longtime diplomat: Tillerson’s public firing makes my head explode (Opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Aaron David Miller is a vice president and distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and author of “The End of Greatness: Why America Can’t Have Another Great President.” Miller was a Middle East negotiator in Democratic and Republican administrations. And Tillerson was never a major influencer of Trump’s thinking, even once he had been …

Rex Tillerson ouster shows Trump is unleashed
7 years ago

Rex Tillerson ouster shows Trump is unleashed

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump’s firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is the latest move in an audacious power play designed to build a governing team in his own image and to purge restraints that have tempered his brazen, impulsive instincts. Video Ad Feedback Trump tells media why he axed Tillerson 03:06 - Source: CNN Restraining influences around …

Tillerson's legacy: Experts call him an "abject failure"
7 years ago

Tillerson's legacy: Experts call him an "abject failure"

Salon  

After a little over a year in office, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired Tuesday morning, to be replaced by CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Tillerson's time in office "will be remembered as extremely unfortunate," Robert Jervis, Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Affairs at Columbia University, told Salon in an interview. A man with no government nor diplomatic experience, …

How the White House made a mess of Rex Tillerson’s departure
7 years ago

How the White House made a mess of Rex Tillerson’s departure

Salon  

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson allegedly got his pink slip in the form of one of President Donald Trump's infamous early morning tweets. A senior State Department official told NBC News that Tillerson first learned he had been fired when Trump announced his decision on Twitter. Steve Goldstein, the former under secretary of public affairs at the State Department, said …

Rex Tillerson fired as secretary of state
7 years ago

Rex Tillerson fired as secretary of state

CNN  

CNN — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and will nominate CIA Director Mike Pompeo to succeed him, replacing his top diplomat ahead of a potential high-stakes sitdown between the US President and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump “thought it was the right time for the transition with the upcoming …

Tillerson defies critics to mark an important milestone
7 years, 1 month ago

Tillerson defies critics to mark an important milestone

CNN  

Washington CNN — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson celebrates one year in office on Thursday – a modest achievement by some standards, but one his critics had dismissed as unreachable just months ago. In November, after a string of senior diplomats stepped down, the head of an organization representing the foreign service excoriated the State Department’s leadership in a letter, …

Rex Tillerson likely to visit new US embassy in London next week after Donald Trump skips inauguration
7 years, 2 months ago

Rex Tillerson likely to visit new US embassy in London next week after Donald Trump skips inauguration

Firstpost  

Rex Tillerson said he hopes to visit the new US embassy in London next week, shortly after President Donald Trump refused to attend its opening ceremony Washington: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he hopes to visit the new US embassy in London next week, shortly after President Donald Trump refused to attend its opening ceremony. Tillerson told reporters that …

Rex Tillerson stands his ground
7 years, 2 months ago

Rex Tillerson stands his ground

CNN  

Washington CNN — If President Donald Trump really wants Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to leave, he’ll have to tell him to go. And while the unpredictable Trump could again sour on Tillerson at any moment, the secretary of state is making it implicitly clear that only a direct push from the President – who, despite his “you’re fired” mantra, …

Tillerson ‘never questioned’ Trump’s mental fitness
7 years, 2 months ago

Tillerson ‘never questioned’ Trump’s mental fitness

CNN  

Story highlights The secretary of state hasn't doubted Trump's mental fitness Tillerson spoke to CNN in an exclusive interview Tillerson said he will stay for 2018 after speculation he would be leaving at the end of last year Washington CNN — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has never questioned President Donald Trump’s “mental fitness” and intends to remain at his …

Rex Tillerson: ‘I intend to be here for the whole year’
7 years, 2 months ago

Rex Tillerson: ‘I intend to be here for the whole year’

CNN  

Story highlights Tillerson fought with Trump last fall and was rumored to be leaving The secretary of state spoke to CNN in an exclusive interview Friday Washington CNN — Suggesting reports of his political death have been greatly exaggerated, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told CNN on Friday that he plans to remain in his position through 2018. “We had …

Rex Tillerson’s end of year verdict: diplomacy’s a ‘hard job’
7 years, 3 months ago

Rex Tillerson’s end of year verdict: diplomacy’s a ‘hard job’

CNN  

Story highlights Tillerson has faced criticism over his handling of the State Department The secretary of state said he is "learning to enjoy" his job Washington CNN — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson touted the State Department’s accomplishments this year, but conceded that it has yet to score an outright “win,” saying that the work of diplomacy isn’t that simple. …

Tillerson ouster rumors denied
7 years, 3 months ago

Tillerson ouster rumors denied

China Daily  

US media speculation heats up over US secretary of state's status WASHINGTON - The White House on Thursday rejected widespread reports about a plan initiated by the Trump administration to oust Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, saying there will be no personnel changes. Secretary Tillerson continues to lead the State Department," said a statement from White House press secretary Sarah …

Tillerson ouster rumors denied
7 years, 3 months ago

Tillerson ouster rumors denied

China Daily  

US media speculation heats up over US secretary of state's status WASHINGTON - The White House on Thursday rejected widespread reports about a plan initiated by the Trump administration to oust Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, saying there will be no personnel changes. Secretary Tillerson continues to lead the State Department," said a statement from White House press secretary Sarah …

Donald Trump considering plan to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, US officials say
7 years, 3 months ago

Donald Trump considering plan to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, US officials say

ABC  

US President Donald Trump is considering a plan to oust Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has had a strained relationship with his boss over North Korea and other issues, senior administration officials said. Key points: Mr Trump has publicly criticised Mr Tillerson's efforts on North Korea Mr Trump reportedly asked his staff to develop a transition strategy CIA director …

Trump denies that Tillerson is on his way out
7 years, 3 months ago

Trump denies that Tillerson is on his way out

CNN  

Story highlights Tillerson isn't leaving, Trump claims on Twitter Tensions have between Trump and Tillerson have been high for months Washington CNN — President Donald Trump on Friday repudiated reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s days in Foggy Bottom are numbered after days of speculation. He’s not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, we work well together …

What Rexit tells us about Trump
7 years, 3 months ago

What Rexit tells us about Trump

CNN  

CNN — Rex Tillerson may not be long for the State Department, according to new reporting from CNN. “The White House is contemplating a scenario to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo within the next few months, multiple government officials tell CNN,” reads the report. “Secretary Tillerson continues to lead the State Department and the …

Get ready for the rearranging of the administration's deck chairs
7 years, 3 months ago

Get ready for the rearranging of the administration's deck chairs

Salon  

President Donald Trump is thinking of replacing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo. Rex Tillerson is leaving partly because he couldn't get along with Trump The former ExxonMobil CEO has been on Trump's bad side ever since he allegedly called Trump a "moron," according to Axios. Mike Pompeo may be chosen to lead the State Department "Rumors that …

Tillerson doesn’t deserve this (opinion)
7 years, 3 months ago

Tillerson doesn’t deserve this (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Aaron David Miller is a vice president and distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and author of “The End of Greatness: Why America Can’t Have Another Great President.” Miller was a Middle East negotiator in Democratic and Republican administrations. Story highlights Miller and Sokolsky: Being well-liked and respected by the president is the number …

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