Trump Told Tillerson Friday
President Donald Trump has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, The Washington Post reports. Trump will replace Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
“Trump last Friday asked Tillerson to step aside, and the embattled top diplomat cut short his trip to Africa on Monday to return to Washington,” The Post notes.
“Pompeo will replace him at the State Department, and Gina Hapsel — the deputy director at the CIA — will succeed him at the CIA, becoming the first woman to run the spy agency, if confirmed.”
Tillerson took the opportunity Monday evening to side with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in saying that Russia was responsible for the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy. The White House Monday refused to condemn Russia or even tie Putin’s government to the attacks.
“We have full confidence in the UK’s investigation and its assessment that Russia was likely responsible for the nerve agent attack that took place in Salisbury last week,” Tillerson said, CNN reported. Â
UPDATE –
Trump makes the announcement via Twitter:
This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.