Trump replaces Tillerson with Pompeo as secretary of state, names Haspel CIA chief

President Donald Trump has sacked Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and appointed CIA Director Mike Pompeo in his stead. Gina Haspel becomes the first female director of the CIA. These changes in his administration’s top national security and diplomatic staff come at a time of negotiations for Trump’s summit with North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un and a Syrian war juncture that places the US at odds with Russia. It also comes ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington next week. President Trump tweeted: “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!”

 

 

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