Former U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson Denies Claims He Tried To Undermine President Trump's Agenda

New U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks after his swearing-in ceremony, accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., February 1, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Dallas Morning News: Rex Tillerson denies Nikki Haley’s claims that he sought to undermine Trump’s agenda

The former UN ambassador made the allegation in a new book out this week

WASHINGTON – Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is disputing a claim by Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, that he sought to subvert President Donald Trump’s agenda in an effort to “save the country."

Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil chief executive, told media outlets on Monday that during his tenure as America’s top diplomat, “at no time did I, nor to my direct knowledge did anyone else serving along with me, take any actions to undermine the president.”

“Once the president made a decision, we at the State Department undertook our best efforts to implement that decision,” Tillerson said, according to The Washington Post, adding that “Ambassador Haley was rarely a participant in my many meetings.”

That denial came after reports emerged that Haley, in her new book, said that Tillerson worked with former White House chief of Staff John Kelly to combat Trump’s decisions and that Haley rebuffed their efforts to join their cause.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Who to believe .... former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson or former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley?

Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Delivers A Response To His Firing

WNU Editor: His voice sounds very shaky. He has the look of a man who is in shock that he has just been fired.

President Trump Has Fired U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018

Politico: Trump says Tillerson out as secretary of state

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is replacing Rex Tillerson as secretary of state, nominating CIA Director Mike Pompeo in his place.

"Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job!" Trump tweeted Tuesday. "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!

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I was wrong on this one. I thought he would stay around till the end of the year. But clearly there were big differences between the two men, and the rumors and speculation that he would be gone by March .... some of which was voiced on this blog by a few commentators .... were true. Gina Haspel becomes the first woman to be nominated to be CIA Director, replacing Mike Pompeo who will now be the new US Secretary of State.

More News On President Trump Firing U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson

Tillerson out at State, to be replaced by CIA chief Pompeo -- AP
Trump ousts Secretary of State Tillerson, taps CIA director Pompeo -- Reuters
Trump ousts Tillerson, will replace him as secretary of state with CIA chief Pompeo -- Washington Post
Rex Tillerson Out as Trump's Secretary of State, Replaced by Mike Pompeo -- New York Times
Trump to replace Tillerson with Pompeo as secretary of state -- CNN
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ousted in favor of CIA chief, Trump announces -- USA Today
President Trump Removes Secretary of State Rex Tillerson -- TIME
Trump ousts Tillerson, taps CIA Director Pompeo for State Dept. -- Washington Times
Secretary of State Tillerson out amid clashes with Trump, to be replaced by CIA Director Pompeo -- CNBC

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Not Told Of Trump - Kim Summit Until After It Was Reported On The News

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson addresses embassy personnel at U.S. Embassy Djibouti on March 9, 2018. (State Department photo)

PJ Media: Tillerson Told of Kim Meeting After Trump's Announcement

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said today during his Africa trip that he spoke with President Trump on his decision to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un after it was announced by South Korean officials and the administration.

Speaking in Djibouti alongside Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Tillerson was asked about his months-long public position that the time was not right for sitting down with North Korea.

Trump tweeted in October, “I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man. Save your energy Rex."

"What changed in the last 24 hours that gave the Trump administration confidence that now is the right time?" a reporter asked Tillerson today. "Can you explain the logic behind starting this process?"

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I am not surprised that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was out of the loop .... he was in Africa at the time. And as for the announcement .... President Trump saw an opportunity and he took it immediately, with everything then becoming public within hours. On a side note .... this story reminds me of Anwar Sadat and on his announcement that he was willing to fly to Jerusalem to talk to Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin. No one expected it, but both leaders saw an opportunity and they took it .... Begin Formally Invites Sadat to Visit Israel (Washington Post).

Update: Speaking of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson .... Unwell Tillerson cancels Nairobi programme (AFP).

U.S. Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson Is Interviewed By 60 Minutes

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. CBS News

CBS 60 Minutes: Rex Tillerson opens up in rare, wide-ranging interview

The normally private Secretary of State talks with 60 Minutes about his life, his relationship with the President, and his efforts to bring North Korea to the bargaining table

Rex Tillerson admits he was an unconventional choice for secretary of state. He had no prior government experience, but as CEO of Exxon-Mobil, he had crisscrossed the globe striking deals with foreign leaders. Secretary Tillerson - a man who still considers himself a Boy Scout and follows what he calls "the Code of the West" - is fiercely private and has shied away from interviews. But he agreed to do a rare, wide-ranging one with us.

Read more ....

U.S. Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson Is Interviewed By 60 Minutes

More from Rex Tillerson -- CBS
Tillerson pledged to keep up the 'maximum pressure' campaign on North Korea — but offered them a way out -- Business Insider
'We don't know how much time is left on the clock': Rex Tillerson says the U.S. is 'nervous' about North Korea striking with a nuclear missile but vows to bring the hermit kingdom to the negotiating table -- Daily Mail
'Until First Bomb Drops': Tillerson Vows to Bring DPRK to Negotiating Table -- Sputnik International
Tillerson says he is listening for N.K. to tell him if it is ready to talk -- Yonhap News
Tillerson: US using 'large sticks,' not carrot, to convince North Korea to talk -- The Hill
Tillerson says US evaluating additional Russian individuals for sanctioning -- TASS
Tillerson Says US Considering Additional Sanctions Against Russians -- Radio Free Europe
Tillerson opens up about meeting with Putin as US Secretary of State -- TASS
Tillerson: State Dept. not being 'dismantled' -- Politico
Rex Tillerson: Only I know when I'm stepping down as secretary of state -- Washington Examiner
Tillerson again refuses to say whether he called Trump a 'moron' -- The Hill

I Guess U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Is Not Leaving

Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson in September at the White House. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times

Politico: Against the odds, Tillerson hangs on — for now

After months of rumors—and even an informal betting pool—about his departure, the secretary of state approaches the one-year mark in his job even after reportedly calling President Donald Trump a ‘moron.’

Rex Tillerson was supposed to quit or be fired by July. Or was it October? Definitely by the end of 2017, some predicted. One group of foreign diplomats and State Department officials even set up a casual betting pool. The over/under date: Jan. 31, a day shy of Tillerson’s one-year anniversary as secretary of state.

As that date approaches, the diplomatic world is watching closely for a much-discussed “Rexit.” But expectations are being downgraded among those who thought he’d be gone by month’s end. If anything, Tillerson looks inclined to hang on to his post for the foreseeable future.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: So much for this news report being true .... New York Times: White House Considering Replacing US Secretary or State Tillerson With CIA Director Pompeo (November 30, 2017). He said at the beginning of January that he was going to remain as US Secretary of State for the rest of 2018, and it looks like he is right .... U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: 'I Intend To Be Here For The Whole Year' (January 5, 2018). It makes one wonder why did the media play the story that he was leaving in a consistent loop for almost half the year.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: 'I Intend To Be Here For The Whole Year'

CNN: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: 'I intend to be here for the whole year'

Washington (CNN)Suggesting reports of his political death have been greatly exaggerated, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told CNN on Friday that he plans to remain in his position through 2018.

"We had a very successful -- in my view -- year 2017, pivoting our policies and helping our partners understand those policies," Tillerson told CNN's Elise Labott in a wide-ranging interview. "We're now into the implementation and execution against those policies."

Read more ....

Update #1: Tillerson: I plan to be here the whole year (The Hill)
Update #2: Tillerson denies questioning Trump's 'mental fitness' (Politico)
Update #3: Rex Tillerson: 'I intend to be here for the whole year' as secretary of state (CNBC)

WNU Editor: He definitely sounds like someone who believes he is going to be US Secretary of State for a while.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Dismissing Resignation Rumors As 'Ridiculous'

Business Insider: Tillerson abruptly leaves podium after dismissing resignation rumors as 'ridiculous' in awkward exchange with reporter

* Secretary of State Rex Tillerson abruptly left the podium while addressing reporters on Monday.
* The first question came from a French reporter, who asked him whether he'd already submitted a letter of resignation effective January.
* Tillerson said the question was "ridiculous" and ended the briefing.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was speaking to reporters Monday before meeting with French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, when a member of the French press asked him an awkward question.

"Bonjour, Monsieur Secretary," the reporter began. "Secretary Tillerson, have you already submitted a letter of resignation with an effective date in January?"

"That's ridiculous," Tillerson replied, according to a transcript posted by CNN.

Read more ....

Update #1: Tillerson resigning? Secretary of state says 'that's ridiculous' (FOX News)
Update #2: Tillerson: Suggestion that he's submitted resignation 'ridiculous' (The Hill)

WNU Editor: I love seeing how the media narrative is being spun each day. This weekend it was President Trump firing Robert Mueller by the end of this week. This afternoon it is U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson resigning in January. Later this week it will be Attorney General Sessions. During the Christmas holidays it will be back to Robert Mueller.

Are Reports That U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson Will Be Replaced Damaging U.S. Foreign Policy?

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participates in a panel discussion after his remarks on U.S.-European Relations at the Wilson Center in Washington, U.S., November 28, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Reuters: U.S. allies fret as 'guillotine' hangs over Tillerson

BRUSSELS/BERLIN (Reuters) - On the eve of his trip to Europe, Rex Tillerson gave a speech last week that European allies had waited months to hear: an “ironclad” promise of U.S. support to its oldest allies.

The relief in European capitals lasted barely a day as reports surfaced of a White House plan to oust the U.S. secretary of state, plunging America’s friends back into confusion over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.

The uncertainty is particularly acute given Washington’s leading role in crises in North Korea and Syria.

“Just as Tillerson comes to Brussels to give a public statement of support that the EU and NATO have wanted all along, it seems he has no mandate, that the guillotine is hanging over his head,” said an EU official involved in diplomacy with White House officials.

“It leaves Europe just as doubtful as before about Trump.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I have also been reading and posting media reports that US Secretary or State Tillerson will soon be replaced .... New York Times: White House Considering Replacing US Secretary or State Tillerson With CIA Director Pompeo (November 30, 2017). And even though US Secretary or State Tillerson, other Cabinet officials, including U.S. President Trump himself have all said repeatedly that there is no truth to these reports .... it is being accepted as gospel by the media and by those who are reading these media reports in other countries. What's my take .... as we learned from ABC News and the debacle over its Michael Flynn story this past Friday .... ABC News Issues A Major Clarification On Their Original Bombshell Michael Flynn Report (December 2, 2017) .... we are now in the age where the media is more focused on writing stories on what they like to believe will happen, rather than reporting the actual news itself. And while I do not know if US Secretary or State Tillerson will be replaced .... quite frankly many in the media do not know also, and as such we should all take their coverage of the news with the skepticism that it deserves. As to the original question .... are reports that U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson will be replaced damaging U.S. foreign policy? The answer is a big yes.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Calls Reports of White House Ouster ‘Laughable’

New York Times: Tillerson Calls Reports of White House Ouster ‘Laughable’

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson on Friday called reports that the White House wants him to resign “laughable,” even as one of his closest aides planned to leave the department.

R.C. Hammond, who has served as Mr. Tillerson’s personal press aide, is expected to leave his post this month, according to three people in the department with direct knowledge of the situation and who asked for anonymity to discuss personnel issues.

Mr. Hammond denied he would be leaving soon, and offered a joke.

“You are not so lucky,” Mr. Hammond wrote in an email. “You still get to work with me.”

The White House has a plan to force out Mr. Tillerson, whose relationship with President Trump has become increasingly awkward and whose ties with others in the White House are severely strained. He is expected to be succeeded by Mike Pompeo, the C.I.A. director who is more closely aligned with Mr. Trump on a series of important foreign policy matters.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: US Secretary of Defense Mattis also believes these reports of Tillerson being dismissed are laughable .... Mattis: There's 'nothing' to reports of Tillerson leaving (The Hill). Is this story another example of fake news? I guess we will find out in the coming month or two.

More News On U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Calling Reports of White House Ouster ‘Laughable’

'Laughable': Tillerson dismisses reports he'll be ousted -- AP
Tillerson dismisses talk of his departure as 'laughable' -- Reuters
Tillerson Calls Reports of White House Ouster 'Laughable' -- New York Times
Tillerson dismisses reports of plan to oust him: 'It's laughable' -- Politico
Secretary of State Tillerson on reports White House trying to oust him: 'It’s laughable' -- USA Today

New York Times: White House Considering Replacing US Secretary or State Tillerson With CIA Director Pompeo

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

U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson Makes A Surprise Visit To Afghanistan And Iraq

Washington Post: Secretary of State Tillerson makes unannounced visits to Afghanistan, Iraq

KABUL — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made back-to-back, unannounced visits to Afghanistan and Iraq on Monday, flying into both countries under great secrecy out of concern that he might be a target for militants.

As his day looked likely to stretch from before dawn to past midnight, covering almost 4,000 miles, Tillerson and his aides donned flak vests and helmets in Baghdad before boarding helicopters that took them to the U.S. Embassy and elsewhere in the Green Zone to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and President Fouad Massoum.

Tillerson’s visit to Afghanistan was conducted in even greater secrecy and was announced only after he had left the country. Though he never left Bagram air base, north of Kabul, his short visit showcased U.S. support for the Afghan government after a week of Taliban attacks that killed more than 200 people.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson Making A Surprise Visit To Afghanistan And Iraq

Long Day of Diplomacy: Tillerson Visits Afghanistan, Iraq -- US News and World Report/AP
Tillerson Makes Unannounced Visits to Afghanistan and Iraq -- Bloomberg
Tillerson travels to Iraq, hours after visiting Afghanistan -- Politico
Tillerson arrives in Iraq after rebuke from Baghdad over paramilitaries -- Reuters
Tillerson arrives in Afghanistan on surprise visit -- BBC
Tillerson meets with Afghanistan president -- CNN
Rex Tillerson Pays Secret Visit to US Air Base in Afghanistan -- New York Times

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: Diplomacy With North Korea To Continue Until 'First Bomb Drops'

Reuters: U.S. diplomacy with North Korea to continue until 'first bomb drops': Tillerson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday that President Donald Trump had instructed him to continue diplomatic efforts to calm rising tensions with North Korea, saying “those diplomatic efforts will continue until the first bomb drops.”

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Tillerson downplayed messages that President Trump had previously posted on Twitter suggesting Tillerson was wasting his time trying to negotiate with “Little Rocket Man,” a derogatory nickname Trump has coined for North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump “has made it clear to me to continue my diplomatic efforts,” Tillerson said.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's Remarks

Tillerson on North Korea: Diplomacy will continue 'until the first bomb drops' -- CNN
Tillerson: NKorea Diplomacy Continues Until 1st 'Bomb Drops' -- US News and World Report/AP
North Korea crisis: Tillerson says diplomacy will continue -- BBC
Tillerson: US trying to stay in Iran deal -- CNN
Tillerson Insists He Will Continue With Diplomacy In North Korea 'Until First Bomb Drops' -- Newsweek
Tillerson denies 'castration' and says diplomacy goes on till 'first bomb drops' -- The Guardian
Tillerson on N Korea: US to Continue Diplomatic Efforts 'Until First Bomb Drops' -- Sputnik

Who Has A Higher IQ. President Trump or Secretary of State Tillerson?

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a meeting with members of his Cabinet at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The Guardian: Trump challenges Tillerson to 'compare IQ tests' after reported 'moron' dig

* Trump suggests IQ battle with Tillerson: ‘I can tell you who is going to win’
* President also claims of unprecedented legislative success in first nine months

Donald Trump has challenged his secretary of state to “compare IQ tests”, if Rex Tillerson did call the president a “moron” as reported. Trump told Forbes magazine: “I think it’s fake news. But if he did [say] that, I guess we’ll have to compare IQ tests. And I can tell you who is going to win.”

The president spoke to the magazine on Friday and the interview was published online on Tuesday. Last week, an NBC story claimed Mike Pence, the vice-president, had to talk Tillerson out of resigning this summer, and that Tillerson had called Trump a “moron”. Some reports said he called the president “a fucking moron”. Tillerson said he never considered resigning but did not deny calling Trump a moron. His spokeswoman said he never used such language.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The drive-by media is just eating up this story .... the number of stories on this one stupid topic today is unbelievable. And while I do not know who has a higher IQ .... Trump or Tillerson (my money would be on Tillerson) .... I will credit where credit is due .... President Trump's instincts on what would grab headlines has always been spot-on since he became a public figure decades ago. Instincts that even to this day his critics completely fail to appreciate or understand, and for those who do .... green with envy. As to how Secretary of State Tillerson is now reacting .... if he is smart he should realise that the President just made a pretty good sarcastic jab at him, and that the case is now closed.

Update: Duhhhh .... White House: Trump's IQ jab at Tillerson was 'a joke' (Politico).

More News On The IQ Debate Between Trump And Tillerson

Trump proposes 'IQ tests' faceoff with Tillerson after secretary of state calls him a 'moron' -- Washington Post
Trump boasts of a higher IQ than Tillerson -- The CNN
Trump says if Tillerson's "moron" comment is true, "We'll have to compare IQ tests" -- CBS News
Donald Trump challenges Rex Tillerson to IQ test amid reports Secretary of State called him a 'moron' -- The Independent
Trump suggests he's smarter than Rex Tillerson -- CBC

Report: U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Called President Trump A 'Moron' In July Meeting

NBC: Tillerson’s Fury at Trump Required an Intervention From Pence

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was on the verge of resigning this past summer amid mounting policy disputes and clashes with the White House, according to multiple senior administration officials who were aware of the situation at the time.

The tensions came to a head around the time President Donald Trump delivered a politicized speech in late July to the Boy Scouts of America, an organization Tillerson once led, the officials said.

Just days earlier, Tillerson had openly disparaged the president, referring to him as a “moron,” after a July 20 meeting at the Pentagon with members of Trump’s national security team and Cabinet officials, according to three officials familiar with the incident.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Called President Trump A 'Moron' In July Meeting

Tillerson weighed quitting in July amid tensions with Trump: NBC -- Reuters
Tillerson reportedly described Trump as ‘a moron’ and was set to resign in July -- CNBC
Report: Rex Tillerson Threatened to Quit This Summer, Called Trump a “Moron” -- Slate
Tillerson called Trump a ‘moron’ and nearly resigned amid clashes -- NYPost
Report: Trump administration officials urged furious Tillerson not to quit -- The Hill

Update: U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson has just delivered a statement saying that he is not resigning, and that he will continue to work as Secretary of State (see video below, and it begins at the 35:36 mark). He also did not deny that he called the President a "moron". What's my take .... people do lose their temper and say things that they regret later (I have a 24 hour rule .... if you have something important to say or do and/or if you want to blow up on someone .... take a chill pill and wait 24 hours. That simple rule has saved me enormous grief throughout my life). But if Secretary of State Tillerson still feels that way towards the President, he should resign.

Will President Trump Fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson And Director Of The National Economic Council Gary Cohn?

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a meeting with members of his Cabinet at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (REUTERS)

Politico: Trump unusually silent after aides challenge him

Some close to the president, who has seen his approval ratings plummet, say he needs Tillerson and Cohn more than they need him.

President Donald Trump is not happy with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, for publicly criticizing his response to violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. But it appears there is little he is planning to do about it, according to people who have spoken to him.

The unusually direct challenges from a Cabinet secretary and senior administration official seemed to make little more than a surface ripple in the swirling melodrama of the Trump White House, even as the president fumed privately about it.

Read more ....

Update #1: Tillerson's comments defy anything we've seen (CNN)
Update #2: Public rifts between Trump, senior officials widen after Charlottesville (Chicago Tribune/Washington Post)

WNU Editor: I must admit that after their comments .... I do not understand why Secretary of State Rex Tillerson And Director Of The National Economic Council Gary Cohn are still in their jobs. One .... most Presidents would have fired these men. And two .... if they felt this strongly about President Trump, why don't they resign? I suspect that there is a lot being played behind the scenes that we are not aware of .... or President Trump is a person who is not bothered by those who criticise him within his circle. Either way .... at this moment in time .... these two men are still in their positions, serving at the pleasure of the President.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: 'Trump Speaks For Himself’ On Values'

Washington Post: Rex Tillerson says Trump ‘speaks for himself’ on values

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has become the latest and highest-ranking administration official to distance himself from President Trump, saying in a Sunday interview that the president “speaks for himself” in his response to racial hatred and violence.

Tillerson was asked on “Fox News Sunday” whether he thought Trump was expressing American values of tolerance and equality in his handling of racial violence during a white supremacist march in Charlottesville earlier this month.

“The president speaks for himself,” he said.

When host Chris Wallace then asked whether Tillerson was “separating himself” from Trump’s remarks, Tillerson answered, “I’ve made my own comments as to our values.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Critics of President Trump are saying that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pushed the President under the bus. I do not see it that way. He was asked a question .... and considering the media firestorm over Charlottesville .... he just did not want to go there. Would you?

More News On U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's Remarks That 'Trump Speaks For Himself’ On Values'

Tillerson says Trump 'speaks for himself' on Charlottesville protests -- FOX News
Tillerson: Trump Speaks for Himself on Values -- COA
Does Trump Represent US Values? 'The President Speaks for Himself,' Tillerson Says -- New York Times
Tillerson: Trump 'speaks for himself' -- CNN
'The president speaks for himself': Rex Tillerson distances himself from Trump when asked if the President's Charlottesville remarks made it harder to represent the US -- Daily Mail

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Urges Calm On North Korea, Downplays Threat To Guam

VOA: Tillerson Downplays N. Korean Threat to Guam

WHITE HOUSE — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says he doesn't believe there is any imminent threat from North Korea to the Pacific island of Guam, despite Pyongyang's claim that it is examining its plan for "making an enveloping fire'' around the U.S. territory.

Tillerson spoke to reporters while flying to Guam Wednesday, after a day of heated rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang. The U.S. Secretary of State was on the island on a refueling stop following a visit to Asia.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stark warning to North Korea, saying if Pyongyang continues its threats against the United States, "they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.”

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's Remarks On North Korea

Tillerson - Trump tough talk aims to send message to North Korea -- Reuters
Tillerson urges calm on North Korea, says no imminent threat -- ABC News/AP
Tillerson backs Trump's strong warnings to North Korea after no headway with 'diplomatic language' -- Washington Post
Tillerson: Trump sending North Korea a 'strong message' -- FOX News

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Holds His First News Briefing At The State Department

AFP: Tillerson: US-Russia ties could still get worse

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday he will meet with his Russian opposite number Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the weekend, but warned US-Russia ties could still get worse.

Some in Moscow and Washington had hoped relations between the former Cold War foes might improve under US President Donald Trump, who has had warm words for President Vladimir Putin.

But the great power rivals remain divided over Russia's intervention in Ukraine, US sanctions against Kremlin allies and Moscow's support for Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime.

Read more ....

More News On Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Holding His First News Briefing At The State Department

Tillerson concedes Russia ties are sour, but holds out hope -- AP
Tillerson: U.S. relations with Russia 'under considerable stress' after first six months of Trump administration -- LA Times
Tillerson to North Korea: ‘We are not your enemy’ -- Washington Post
Tillerson says U.S. wants North Korea dialogue 'at some point' -- Reuters
Tillerson: US not seeking to topple North Korea regime -- AFP
Tillerson to North Korea: We Are Not Your Enemy -- VOA
North Korea: US not seeking regime change, says Rex Tillerson -- BBC
Tillerson says he and Trump disagree over Iran nuclear deal -- Reuters
Tillerson sends senior envoys to handle Qatar crisis -- AFP
Tillerson Declares He's Comfortable in Job and With Trump -- US News and World Report/AP
Tillerson Says Trump’s Twitter Use Not a Hindrance to State Dept: ‘I Don’t View It as an Obstacle’ -- Washington Free Beacon
Tillerson To Meet Lavrov In Manila At The Weekend -- RFE
Tillerson to visit the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia in swing through Southeast Asia -- SCMP
Tillerson to travel to Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia: State Department -- Reuters
Tillerson tightens the reins at State Department -- Reuters

Why Are Reporters Surprised That U.S. Secretary Of State Tillerson Is 'Taking A Little Time Off'

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Thomson Reuters

Business Insider: State Department says Secretary Tillerson is 'taking a little time off' amid tensions in the White House

Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, surprised reporters on Tuesday by saying Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was "taking a little time off."

When asked about the discrepancies between Tillerson's public schedule and his reported movements, and why the department hadn't updated the press on his whereabouts, Nauert said Tillerson "does have the ability to go away for a few days on his own."

"Just taking a little time off," Nauert said of Tillerson's unannounced absence. "He's got a lot of work. He just came back from that mega-trip overseas, as you all well know — many of you were over there with the G-20."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It is summer .... this is when most people take vacations. but the rumours are swirling anyway .... Tillerson ‘taking a little time off’ amid exit rumors (NYPost).