WASHINGTON – President Trump is planning to replace Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson within the next several weeks, according to the New York Times.
The Times reports the White House is working on a plan to force Tillerson out and replace him with CIA director Mike Pompeo.
Pompeo would be replaced by Senator Tom Cotton, according to the Times.
Tillerson hits back at critics
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hit back at critics, including lawmakers, who charge that he is hollowing out America's oldest government agency and undermining diplomacy at a time of deepening international crises.
Speaking at the Wilson Center on Tuesday, the former ExxonMobil CEO defended his reorganization plan for the State Department, as well as proposed budget cuts of as much as 30 percent. Citing the hard work of staff who keep the agency running day to day, Tillerson said he was offended by all those who declare the State Department isn't working.
"I'm offended on their behalf when people say somehow we don't have a State Department that functions. I can tell you its functioning very well from my perspective," Tillerson said in a question and answer session after remarks about the US-Europe relationship.