Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson in September at the White House. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times
New York Time: White House Plans Tillerson Ouster From State Dept., to Be Replaced by Pompeo
WASHINGTON — The White House has developed a plan to force out Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, whose relationship with President Trump has been strained, and replace him with Mike Pompeo, the C.I.A. director, perhaps within the next several weeks, senior administration officials said on Thursday.
Mr. Pompeo would be replaced at the C.I.A. by Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas who has been a key ally of the president on national security matters, according to the White House plan. Mr. Cotton has signaled that he would accept the job if offered, said the officials, who insisted on anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations before decisions are announced.
It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Trump has given final approval to the plan, but he has been said to have soured on Mr. Tillerson and in general is ready to make a change at the State Department. Mr. Tillerson was at the White House on Thursday morning, although he was not listed on the White House public schedule.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: President Trump just said no .... Trump says Tillerson is "here" as he meets with Crown Prince of Bahrain (CBS). What's my take .... there are just as many differences between President Trump and CIA Director Mike Pompeo as they are with US Secretary of State Tillerson, and yes ..... I will be surprised if US Secretary Tillerson is removed in January.
More News On Reports That The White House Is Considering Replacing US Secretary or State Tillerson With CIA Director Pompeo
White House readies plan to replace Tillerson with Pompeo at State, install Cotton at CIA -- Washington Post
White House has plan to replace top diplomat with CIA chief: U.S. officials -- Reuters
Trump weighs plan to replace Tillerson with CIA’s Pompeo -- AP
White House considering replacing Tillerson with Pompeo -- CNN
Rex Tillerson expected to step down in January, plans discussed for Pompeo to take place -- FOX News
White House reportedly has plan to replace Rex Tillerson with CIA chief -- The Guardian
Trump may replace Tillerson with Pompeo: reports -- The Hill
White House 'has plan to replace Tillerson' -- BBC
White House Weighs Replacing Tillerson With CIA Chief -- Bloomberg