Tillerson Is ‘Doomed’ and Has ‘Ruined’ the State Department, Republican Says
However long his tenure as the nation’s top diplomat might last, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s future was described by a Republican as “doomed” and that he had “ruined” the State Department, according to a report published Wednesday morning.
Tillerson is nearly one year removed from his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and a tumultuous first lap with President Donald Trump’s administration. The former ExxonMobil chief reportedly clashed with Trump several times over the past year and also called the president a “moron,” which Tillerson has never fully denied.
Tillerson has persisted and traipsed around the world representing the country despite media reports indicating an early exit or that just two months ago Trump was already planning to replace him with current CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
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Tillerson remains atop the department, but one Republican with “extensive” foreign policy experience told Politico it’s highly unlikely Tillerson could have a better and lasting turn at State.
“Doomed. He will never have a close relationship with Trump, and he has ruined the building,” the unnamed Republican was quoted.
In taking the reins, Tillerson has seen a number of career diplomats and officials leave the department, prompting criticism of his work and the country’s diplomatic efforts.
Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Steve Goldstein pushed back on any talk of Tillerson leaving his post early and said the rumors were made by "people who wanted to create avenues through which there would be an opening for secretary of state."
Tillerson himself also said recently that he fully intends to stay on and, of late, he has not had a public spat with President Trump.
The pair’s relationship reportedly frayed last summer and reached a boiling point after Trump’s heavily politicized speech before the Boy Scouts of America, according to NBC News.
The tension required Vice President Mike Pence to step in and speak with Tillerson about how to work with Trump.
Trump has often received criticism for undercutting Tillerson’s work, perhaps most notably when it comes to negotiations with North Korea.
“I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man,” the president tweeted October 1.
He followed up: “Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!”