Pompeo emerges as favorite to succeed Tillerson

The president's warm relationship with his CIA director mirrors his earlier closeness with John Kelly, who was elevated from secretary of Homeland Security to chief of staff.

By ELIANA JOHNSON and ANNIE KARNI 11/15/2017 05:03 AM EST Updated 11/15/2017 07:25 AM EST

President Donald Trump has turned his daily intelligence briefing — a routine that in previous administrations has been a dry, formal affair — into a free-flowing conversation during which he peppers his CIA director, former House member Mike Pompeo, with questions about everything from national security threats to the internal dynamics of Congress.

After their 10 a.m. sessions, which Pompeo conducts in person about four mornings a week, Trump often asks Pompeo to accompany him to his next meeting — whatever it is.

The CIA director’s favored status in the West Wing has made him the odds-on choice to succeed Rex Tillerson as secretary of state, according to more than half a dozen administration officials and outside advisers familiar with the White House’s current plans. It’s not clear when Tillerson might leave — he has vigorously denied rumors that he plans to resign anytime soon — but Pompeo has told associates that he expects the president to tap him for the position and that he’d accept the job if it’s offered to him.

Trump’s relationship with Pompeo mirrors the close bond he developed with John Kelly while the retired Marine general was serving as secretary of Homeland Security — and he promoted Kelly to chief of staff within six months, replacing former Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus.

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https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/15/pompeo-tillerson-state-cia-244905