Tillerson had a desire to retain respectability with all sides, which isn’t useful to Trump now that he is going unconventional in his diplomacy with North Korea. Something new is required, a new mindset, and from someone willing to take and go along with risks.
Mike Pompeo, of the CIA, seems to fit that bill perfectly. Adept at navigating Congress, very popular among the high-risk spooks at the Central Intelligence Agency he now leads, Pompeo will slip into the new role like a hand in a glove.
Trump himself finds more in common, personality-wise, with Pompeo, and the new North Korea gambit is all Trump.
Yep - there was a lot I admired about Rex, but his loyalties were divided. If he was able to get fully on the bus he could have been a very good SoS.....
Brings to mind how POTUS changed his campaign staff on his way to becoming POTUS. As the needs change, he has already retained the best personnel ready and able to tackle the task going forward. His planning ahead and staying in front of the situation might be one of his strongest attributes.
What’s even better is that Mike Pompeo is a SCARY DUDE.
It’s about time we had our own Putin-like figure at the international table. Countries know not to screw with this guy because he is the guy who will end them from 500 yards. They tick him off and they’ll need a food tester.
Which right now is what the world needs to know. China, North Korea, Iran et al. These are not people who respond to diplomacy and dealmaking.
The thing I am seeing is that State and CIA have been adversaries for the past seventy years. State is rife with the kinds of spies that CIA is supposed to root out.
So I think this has less to do with Tillerson getting fired than it does with a sitting CIA Director being promoted to run the State Department and start firing the spies he’s likely been begging Tillerson to fire.
My proof for this assertion/opinion will be seen in the list of Foggy Bottom resignations that follow over the next few weeks.
Tillerson was not fired. His contract ended.