And, Just Like That, Rex Tillerson is Fired

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is no longer with us.  No, he didn't die.  President Trump fired him, replacing Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo to head the State Department.  Well, Pompeo was nominated.  We still need a confirmation from the U.S. Senate.

Trump told reporters on the same day he's supposed to be in California to inspect border wall prototypes, that the firing of Tillerson was solely his decision, citing disagreements with Tillerson that included North Korea diplomacy, steel and aluminum tariffs, and the Iran nuclear agreement.

"I think Rex will be much happier now," Trump said.

Word has it that Tillerson liked being Secretary of State, and would rather the firing had not taken place.

Trump's praise for Pompeo as a replacement included phrases like, "tremendous energy, tremendous intellect," and "we’re always on the same wave length. The relationship has been very good and that’s what I need as Secretary of State."

Trump said in a written statement that, at the State Department, Pompeo "will continue our program of restoring America’s standing in the world, strengthening our alliances, confronting our adversaries, and seeking the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

I am figuring the liberal left media will cite the situation as more instability in the administration. Schumer has already fired that shot, saying "The instability of this administration in just about every area weakens America."  In truth, the firing of Tillerson says the opposite.  Simply said, in business if someone is not doing a job the way you want, they are replaced.  It shows vision, and the desire to make sure the mantra "but we've always done it that way" does not become the norm.

Trump first announced the move via tweet.

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!
5:44 AM - Mar 13, 2018

In a written statement put out by by the White House, 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 of the CIA.

A 30-year veteran of the CIA, Haspel said, "I look forward to providing President Trump the outstanding intelligence support he has grown to expect during his first year in office."

Both Pompeo and Haspel must be confirmed by the Senate.

The relationship with Tillerson has been tense, at best, so in the end, for many, the move was no surprise.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary