News Obiaks News

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, fire U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo.

Trump made the announcement via his twitter handle, also announcing that he is appointing Gina Haspel Pompeo's replacement at the CIA.

"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!" Trump said on Twitter. 

This represents the biggest shakeup of the Trump Cabinet so far and had been expected since last October when reports surfaced about a falling out between Trump and Tillerson, 65, who left his position as chief executive of Exxon Mobil to join the administration.

Trump publicly undercut Tillerson's diplomatic initiatives numerous times, including on Monday when the former secretary of state's comments about Russia appeared to be at odds with those of the White House.

Tillerson during an official tour of Africa last week, was caught by surprises when Trump announced he would meet with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, the first time a sitting U.S. president will do so.

REUTERS