Tillerson sat down with CNN in an interview today and pretty much squashed all of the rumors that he’s leaving the Trump administration soon:
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.”
“I think we’re going to have a very productive 2018,” he added. “The State Department gets stronger every day, understand what we’re trying to do. And I look forward to having a very, very successful 2018.”
Pressed on whether he’ll be around to enjoy that success, Tillerson said, “I intend to be here for the whole year.”
Even if you try and parse his words for hidden meaning, intent is a fairly strong word and it really does sound like he’s not going anywhere.
I really like the job Nikki Haley is doing at the UN, but if I had my druthers I’d much rather see her as the top dog in the State Department. Perhaps in another year she’ll finally be ready to take the top job when Tillerson decides he can’t take the political heat any longer and dumps Trump.