Trump ousts Tillerson, taps CIA Director Pompeo for State Dept.

President Trump ousted Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson Tuesday and is replacing him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

“Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job!” the president tweeted. “Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service!”

He announced that deputy CIA Director Gina Haspel will become the new director, and the first woman so chosen. Both Mr. Pompeo and Ms. Haspel will require Senate confirmation.

“Congratulations to all!” the president said.

There was frequent friction between the president and Mr. Tillerson. The move comes after the secretary of State asserted Monday night that Russia “clearly” was responsible for the poisoning of a former British spy, a statement that went well beyond comments from the White House.

Mr. Trump made Tuesday’s move while Mr. Tillerson, formerly the CEO of  ExxonMobil, was out of the country, finishing a week-long tour of several African nations.

The moves were first reported by The Washington Post.

The president offered glowing praise for Mr. Pompeo and Ms. Haspel. Of Mr. Tillerson, the president said only, “I want to thank Rex Tillerson for his service. A great deal has been accomplished over the last fourteen months, and I wish him and his family well.”

Mr. Trump said Mr. Pompeo “has earned the praise of members in both parties by strengthening our intelligence gathering, modernizing our defensive and offensive capabilities, and building close ties with our friends and allies in the international intelligence community,” the president said in a statement. “I have gotten to know Mike very well over the past 14 months, and I am confident he is the right person for the job at this critical juncture.”

He said Mr. Pompeo “will continue our program of restoring America’s standing in the world, strengthening our alliances, confronting our adversaries, and seeking the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

The president has accepted an invitation, conveyed by South Korea, to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within the next two months to discuss denuclearization. The sensitive diplomacy would be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea, which claims to have missiles capable of striking anywhere in the mainland U.S.

Some national security insiders, meanwhile, have mused during recent months that Mr. Pompeo might be a stronger fit for secretary of state because of his focus on the North Korea crisis.

One of Mr. Pompeo’s signature moves as CIA director was the creation last year of a Korea Mission Center focused on examining the North Korean missile threat and how best to manage the crisis.

Mr. Trump said Mr. Pompeo’s “experience in the military, Congress, and as leader of the CIA have prepared him well for his new role and I urge his swift confirmation.”

He said Ms. Haspel will set a “historic milestone” if confirmed for the CIA post.

“Mike and Gina have worked together for more than a year, and have developed a great mutual respect,” Mr. Trumpsaid.