'Mean-Spirited Town': Tillerson Says Farewell to State Department

04:07 GMT, 23 March 2018

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday gave a farewell address to the staff members he has worked with at the State Department.

Sputnik

"I appreciate the opportunity to bid you a proper farewell," Tillerson told the group.

The former Exxon Mobil CEO said that Washington can be a "mean-spirited" town but one does not have to choose to participate in it.

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Tillerson wished the staff to "continue to treat each other with respect". "Regardless of the job title, the station in life, or your role, everyone is important to the State Department," — the State Secretary said.

Tillerson also thanked his coworkers for their hard work since the Trump administration took office in January of 2017.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that he fired Tillerson and nominated CIA Director Mike Pompeo to take his place. Trump told reporters later in the day that he disagreed with Tillerson on policy issues such as the Iran nuclear agreement.

Tillerson has already turned over his day-to-day responsibilities to Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, but his tenure will not officially end until midnight on March 31.