Trump Says Tillerson Will Remain Secretary Of State

WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump said Friday that Rex Tillerson will remain secretary of state, adding that reports finding that the former oil executive would soon be replaced were "fake news."

"The media has been speculating that I fired Rex Tillerson or that he would be leaving soon - FAKE NEWS!" Trump tweeted. "He’s not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!"

But just the day before, Trump would offer no assurances that Tillerson's job was safe. Asked at a press spray in the Oval Office Thursday whether he wanted Rex Tillerson "on the job," Trump said, "He's here. Rex is here."

"There are no personnel announcements at this time," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday, without saying that the president had confidence in the secretary of state. "Secretary Tillerson continues to lead the State Department and the entire cabinet is focused on completing this incredibly successful first year of President Trump's administration."

The New York Times first reported that the White House was considering a plan to replace Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo and put Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas in charge of the intelligence agency. Other outlets confirmed this report.

Some reports suggested that the leaked plan itself may have been an effort to humiliate or otherwise pressure Tillerson.

Tillerson met with the president Friday afternoon along with Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Earlier in the day, Tillerson called reports of his coming ouster were "laughable."

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