(RNN) - President Donald Trump announced Tuesday via Twitter that Rex Tillerson would be replaced by current CIA Director Mike Pompeo as the new secretary of state.
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
Tillerson navigated storms involving Trump's decision to cease implementing the Paris Climate Accord, escalating tensions with the North Korean regime, and questions over Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
The former ExxonMobil CEO’s nomination as head of the State Department passed a Senate panel by a 11-10 party line vote Jan. 23. He was approved by the full Senate on a 56-43 vote mostly along party lines on Feb. 1. The GOP holds a 52-48 margin in the Senate.
Tillerson came under scrutiny for his past business relationship with Russia President Vladimir Putin. The backers of the oil industry veteran said his ties with the Russian leader were just part of the job for a CEO of a worldwide company.
The Texas graduate in civil engineering worked 41 years at Exxon, rising from an engineer to become CEO in 2006.
Tillerson earned a Distinguished Eagle Scout designation as a youth. He is a former member of the Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee and served as national president of the Boy Scouts from 2010 to 2012.
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