Rex Tillerson out as Secretary of State, to be replaced by CIA chief Pompeo
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the departure of his top diplomat Rex Tillerson, to be succeeded by the current CIA chief Mike Pompeo.
The US president announced the appointment of Gina Haspel to head the Central Intelligence Agency — the first woman tapped for the post. Pompeo is to be replaced at CIA by Gina Haspel, Pompeo’s deputy at CIA. She would be the first woman in that role.
Tillerson had just returned from a shortened trip to Africa hours before Trump’s announcement. Trump offered no explanation for the change.
However, according to an official, Donald Trump wanted to change up his cabinet team before launching high-stakes negotiations with North Korea.
“The President wanted to make sure to have his new team in place in advance of the upcoming talks with North Korea,” the official said.
The reshuffle comes days after the spectacular announcement of a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whose date and details have yet to be determined.
