"As far as Rex Tillerson is concerned, I very much appreciate his commitment and his service and I wish him well," Trump told reporters outside the White House. "He's a good man."

Trump's comments came minutes after he abruptly announced that he had replaced Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. He said that he and Pomep are "always on the same wavelength."

"Tremendous energy, tremendous intellect," Trump said of Pompeo. "We are always on the same wavelength. The relationship is very, very good, and that's what I need as secretary of State."