If we assume this to be correct, then Tillerson’s job was to do the house cleaning.
He was assigned to clear out the dead weight, and leave a clean slate for whomever comes next. In reading the other stories about how the State Dept is being hollowed out, this is a good thing.
Remember...there are different CEO categories. The founder, the stay the course, the grow, the fixer, and the closer.
Tillerson was brought in as a fixer. A fixer clears out the old stock, corrects the inefficiencies, replaces the Exec C suite and turns the direction of the organization in consultation with who will succeed him. His job is to set the stage for his successor to succeed. If his successor fails, he failed.
Accurate analysis. I expect that Trump will hire people to accomplish specific objectives and then after meeting those objectives, resign to be replaced by someone who will have different objectives. I like Tillerson but it not surprise to see Tillerson leave.
Yes, and I vaguely recall reading when Tillerson came on board that he did not plan to stay for a terribly long time, but was there to shape things up. Which he is doing apace.
As for disagreements with Trump, I think the two are basically in agreement. But the press asks about every single little word Trump says. Often he will have said some random thing, not meaning it as a policy change but as an observation or opinion, and the press will then suddenly challenge the target of their questions to support it. If he doesn’t - or doesn’t even know about it - then they say he “opposes Trump.”