The pair have also clashed on policy issues including on Iran, the blockade against Qatar, and North Korea. Just before Trump revealed his surprising decision earlier this month to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Tillerson had said it was not yet time to negotiate with Pyongyang. And on Monday, Tillerson struck a far different tone than the White House when he strongly attacked Russia over the attempted assassination of a former spy now living in Britain. The White House declined to blame the poison-gas attack on Russia despite assertions by the British government.
When he spoke to reporters before boarding Marine One, Trump said he and Tillerson “were not really thinking the same way.” As an example, he cited the Iran nuclear deal, which he has denounced and Tillerson sought to fix. Trump said he and Pompeo are “always on the same wavelength.”
“The relationship has been very good and that’s what I need as secretary of state,” Trump said of Pompeo.
Trump also suggested the recent White House turnover was headed toward a positive outcome.
“I’m really at a point where we’re getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want,” said Trump.
