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Rex Tillerson Fired

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 10:57:49 AM EST
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Donald Trump has fired Rex Tillerson. CIA Chief Pompeo will replace him.

Gina Haspel will be in charge of the CIA.

She reportedly ran a secret prison in Thailand in 2002 where terrorism suspects were waterboarded and subjected to other so-called enhanced interrogations.

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    Rex Tillerson Fired | 55 comments (55 topical)

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    My hunch is that he brought Tillerson (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Anne on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:11:22 AM EST
    on because of his relationship - such as it was - with Putin, and didn't do enough other vetting to realize they would be polar opposites on pretty much everything else.

    Also, while Tillerson wasn't a good Secretary of State, he at least spoke up - and I don't think Trump takes well to people who openly contradict him.

    Let me fix that for you (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by Towanda on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 02:56:02 PM EST
    Putin brought Tillerson on, because of Putin's relationship with Trump.

    Parent
    Pompeo (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:13:44 AM EST
    Has sort of spoken up a couple of times.  I'm thinking of the group of Intel folks who all agreed on Russia recently.

    Parent
    Make no mistake, Tillerson is a giant... (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 11:33:39 AM EST
    bag of sh!t, spending his entire adult life polluting the planet, amassing a huge fortune in doing so, and lying about the damage by funding large disinformation campaigns.

    Tea partier, climate change denier, and rigid hard-liner Pompeo has all the signals to be just as bad, if not worse.  He's the number one recipient of Koch Industries money.

    In just four election cycles, 2010 through 2016, Pompeo received: $335,000 from Koch Industries employees (including $92,000 just from the Koch family); $69,000 from the Koch Industries PAC; $417,175 from Americans for Prosperity (which is the right-wing advocacy group founded by the Koch brothers); plus another $87,532 from "Other outside groups heavily funded by the Kochs."

    At least Tillerson didn't want to get into any wars.  Pompeo, I'm not so sure.

    NYTimes (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 16, 2018 at 03:27:33 PM EST
    BURN IT DOWN REX

    Jeralyn (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:05:39 AM EST
    You probably know by now but you got a double post I think

    They are saying the white house (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:06:38 AM EST
    Was "livid" about Tillys comments on the Russia attack in the UK.

    Yes, Rexxon (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by KeysDan on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:28:56 AM EST
    survived after his assessment of Trump as a F.... moron.  But, siding with Mrs. May on the "highly likely" poisoning of the Skripals by Russia, caused the firing by tweet. And, maybe, the recall by Putin of Res's Russian medal.

    But, Rexxon can take some solace that he was not Comey-fired with Trump complaints that he was allowed to fly back from California on a government plane.

      And, unlike Trump's personal assistant, John McEntee, was summarily fired and abruptly escorted out of the White House today not even allowed to take his coat with him.

      McEntee was fired after investigation by Homeland Security for "serious financial crimes."   No more said, so far, but HSI concerns itself with issues that threaten national security, such as human smuggling, drug/human trafficing, document/benefit fraud, counterfeiting sales, identify papers, and art theft.   A lot of bad stuff there, so the WH would be wise to specify, rather than as HuckabeeS ---not comment on personnel matters.

    Parent

    Well I guess his serious financial crimes (none / 0) (#7)
    by Anne on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:34:52 AM EST
    are what sealed the deal for his hiring by the Trump 2020 campaign...

    President Trump's personal assistant, John McEntee, was fired Monday, because he is currently under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security for financial crimes, CBS News' Jacqueline Alemany confirmed Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, the Trump reelection campaign announced that McEntee had just been hired as a senior adviser for campaign operations.

    You really just can't make this stuff up...

    Parent

    The best people, (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by KeysDan on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:36:38 AM EST
    just moving the players around so as to achieve "perfection."  

    Parent
    Fits (none / 0) (#9)
    by FlJoe on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:45:37 AM EST
    right in with this guy Trump donor Elliott Broidy named in criminal probe of sanctioned Russian bank

    Parent
    Reportedly (none / 0) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 04:24:50 PM EST
    McEntee is already rehired for the reelect Trump campaign

    Parent
    McEntee, (none / 0) (#16)
    by KeysDan on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 04:26:34 PM EST
    apparently, had a security clearance.  It was revoked.  Probably more here than we know, but whatever it is, it is perfect for the Trump campaign....a feature, not a bug.

    Parent
    He was not allowed (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 04:44:49 PM EST
    To get his coat.  So, yeah.

    Parent
    Tillerson (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:09:12 AM EST
    Has been an absolute disaster as SOS.  No idea what Pompeo will be like but honestly he could hardly be worse

    Pompeo will be worse (5.00 / 5) (#13)
    by Towanda on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 02:57:41 PM EST
    based on everything I read about him today.

    We are a big step closer to the brink. . . .

    Parent

    Gotta say I agree. (5.00 / 4) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 03:47:36 PM EST
    Everytime Trump fires someone you might think "it can't get worse" or he "can't get anybody worse" and yet Trump somehow plumbs the bottom of the barrel to come up with yet another one worse than the last.

    Parent
    Isn't that par for the course with the modern ... (5.00 / 5) (#18)
    by Erehwon on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 04:58:46 PM EST
    Republican party? Every time you think they can't descend any further, you find they always know how to find a lower trough! Ad nauseam.

    Parent
    But Trump is embarrassed by the DeVos interview (none / 0) (#21)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 07:08:18 AM EST
    When did embarrassment become possible for him? Who did he think he chose for that position?

    Parent
    It's been my experience that ... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:35:05 PM EST
    CaptHowdy: "No idea what Pompeo will be like but honestly he could hardly be worse[.]"

    ... when one says a certain person can't possibly be any worse, that certain someone will then prove otherwise sooner rather than later.

    ;-D

    Parent

    Gina Haspel (none / 0) (#10)
    by KeysDan on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:46:03 AM EST
    may have trouble traveling to the EU...may be arrested by German prosecutors for CIA role in torture.  But, probably not a concern, can have all spy meetings, just like with the Russian spies, at Langley or nearby.

    Inconvenient (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 11:48:31 AM EST


    Parent
    There are stories everywhere (none / 0) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 13, 2018 at 06:11:33 PM EST
    Like this one in the DailyBeast

    Tillerson's Downfall
    Experienced U.S. diplomats and Donald Trump agree on at least one thing: Rex Tillerson sucked as secretary of state.

    Is Teapublican Pompeo better? (none / 0) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 07:05:03 AM EST
    State has been gutted. I don't see Pompeo rebuilding that.

    My first spelling of his name this morning came out Pimpeo. Freudian slip? Then fixing it too quickly resulted in Pumpeo. I give up

    Parent

    Pompeo certainly looks to be a syncophant. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 11:31:38 AM EST
    He is a climate change denier, islamophobic and homophobic.

    How does he conduct foreign relations with Muslim countries when his bias against their religion is well known?


    Parent

    More importantly IMO (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 11:42:59 AM EST
    Will be restaff the department of state

    It seems to be pretty widely expected he will.

    We will see.

    Parent

    It isn't like you can restock off the street (none / 0) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 12:47:25 PM EST
    There is a lifetime learning curve for these jobs. Or what Brietbart calls "the deep state".

    Parent
    Bill Krystol (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 04:40:57 PM EST
    Just made a pretty good case Trump will attempt to fire Mueller.

    FOX is going after Rosenstein.  He says whatever else it would buy time.

    Difficult to argue.

    I think if he looks like he is seriously going to try Muller might pounce.

    Parent

    One thing troubles me (none / 0) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:07:33 PM EST
    In the end, what real authority does Mueller have?

    Parent
    He can indict (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:11:43 PM EST
    Trump can't fire Muller in one step.  First he has to get rid of either Sessions or Rosenstein or both.

    If, and this is pure 100% non professional speculation, Mueller lays out a bunch of indictments, or a bunch more, it's going to make getting rid of him a lot harder.  Even for republicans.  This is an election year.

    Parent

    Can't indict a sitting President (none / 0) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:20:53 PM EST


    Parent
    According to Philip Allen Lacovara, the answer (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by vml68 on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:31:17 PM EST
    is, yes.

    As special counsel Robert S. Mueller III racks up indictments and guilty pleas, and President Trump continues to dig himself further into a potential obstruction-of-justice charge, a question lingering since Mueller's appointment comes front and center: May a sitting president be indicted for a federal crime?
    I believe the answer is yes.

    I hope PeterG or Oculus or the other lawyers on here share their opinion.

    Parent

    There is no precedent though (none / 0) (#43)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:42:34 PM EST
    And nobody with authority to actually take the President into custody.

    Parent
    So a standoff (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:51:19 PM EST
    Between federal marshals and secret service.

    I would pay to see that.

    Parent

    Who is the ultimate authority over federal (none / 0) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 06:26:13 PM EST
    Marshals? The President

    Parent
    From (none / 0) (#51)
    by FlJoe on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 06:49:54 PM EST
    Wiki
    The office of United States Marshal was created by the First Congress. President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act into law on September 24, 1789.[6] The Act provided that a United States Marshal's primary function was to execute all lawful warrants issued to him under the authority of the United States. The law defined marshals as officers of the courts charged with assisting federal courts in their law-enforcement functions:

    If I read this right, they are agents of the Judicial Branch Constitutionally separated from the executive branch.

    Parent

    As far as I know they are part of the chain (none / 0) (#52)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 07:00:34 PM EST
    Of federal authority that ends with the President.

    Parent
    From (none / 0) (#39)
    by FlJoe on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:27:53 PM EST
    what I've heard that's an unsettled question. I'm pretty sure Mueller can indict him, making it stick is another matter.

    I really never understood the argument against it anyway.  

    Parent

    That is (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:30:19 PM EST
    absolutely not a settled question.  I believe he can and will.

    But he won't do it as a "response".

    Mueller is doing the most important work probably ever done by law enforcement in the history of the country.  I do not think that is exaggerated.

    We he marches his ducks have to not only be in a row but spit shined and synchronized

    But I think he could almost certainly indict a bunch of other people including Kushner any time he wanted.

    In fact I have thought he seems to be laying in wait.  This latest thing seems like a dare and a provocation.

    He is publicly doing exactly what Trump said he would never allow him to do

    I say buckle up

    Parent

    Ken Starr tried (none / 0) (#44)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:44:48 PM EST
    Clinton DOJ wrote a long ole thing about how you can't do it.

    Parent
    And Starr (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:49:43 PM EST
    Wrote a long one saying you could that have been quoted a lot recently.

    It's never been tested.

    Parent

    But we have never (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 05:53:18 PM EST
    Had a president who is proven to be the agent of a hostile foreign power.

    Parent
    Our President determines who our allies are (none / 0) (#48)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 06:23:16 PM EST
    Though during their Presidency. They are the embodiment of our foreign policy. What is a hostile foreign power to you isn't that to Trump.

    All I can say is nobody is going risk an insane President again in my lifetime just for spite. There is almost no accountability for an evil corrupt President while they are President.

    Parent

    I guess we will see (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 at 06:29:29 PM EST
    About that

    Parent
    There's two fool proof ways (none / 0) (#55)
    by CST on Sat Mar 17, 2018 at 04:57:28 PM EST
    Elections and impeachment.  Or perhaps elections, then impeachment.

    An indictment could certainly influence that process.

    Parent

    Trump is simply (none / 0) (#22)
    by smott on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 10:18:18 AM EST
    Eliminating anyone with whom he disagrees.
    It's Lackey Central at the WH

    He's the Queen of Hearts (none / 0) (#23)
    by Anne on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 10:37:46 AM EST
    Off with their heads!

    Parent
    I am actually more freaked about (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 11:54:00 AM EST
    Larry Kudlow as economic advisor

    He does have (none / 0) (#31)
    by KeysDan on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 03:26:20 PM EST
    a lot in common with Trump--curious takes on economics, a t.V. bloviator, married three times, and about the same age (70 years old).

     But, Kudlow did get his personal act together, dealing with his alcohol and cocaine problems. And, he has managed to be an economics guru without a degree in economics(baccalaureate in history, U. Rochester), and a Princeton master's drop out).

    Parent

    Question (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 11:57:34 AM EST
    Should we laugh or cry the o my reason Bolton lost SOS is because he had a moustache ??

    Seriously

    I (none / 0) (#29)
    by FlJoe on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 12:09:27 PM EST
    am the Walrus, Goo goo g'joob....I'm crying.

    Parent
    As for the moustache, (none / 0) (#30)
    by KeysDan on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 02:56:08 PM EST
    he was warned, but, never-the-less, he persisted.

      But, a Bolton nomination would resurrect that claim made by a Dallas woman, Melody Townsend, stationed in Kyrgystan on an USID mission  at the time of his nomination as UN Ambassador:

     " Mr. Bolton proceeded to chase me through the halls of a Russian hotel, throwing things at me, shoving threatening letters under my door, generally, behaving like a mad man."

    Parent

    Well (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 05:58:55 PM EST
    he and Kudlow might not be able to pass the security clearance especially in light of recent events.

    Parent
    Let's go (none / 0) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 14, 2018 at 04:22:17 PM EST
    To the videotape

    Parent
    Empty barrel, John Kelly, (aka adult in room), (none / 0) (#54)
    by KeysDan on Sat Mar 17, 2018 at 02:15:19 PM EST
    added some classy detail to the Tillerson departure.  He told reporters (in a supposedly off the record briefing) along with white House staff, that Rex was on the toilet when he called him in Africa to say he was being dumped.  Rex was suffering from an intestinal bug, apparently, picked up during his travel in Africa.  

    Rex Tillerson Fired | 55 comments (55 topical)

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