Wisconsin lawmakers react to Tillerson firing

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Wisconsin Republicans showed a mix of support for former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and hope for President Donald Trump's pick to replace him, Mike Pompeo, after Trump fired Tillerson Tuesday morning.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, released a statement, saying "I welcome my good friend, Mike Pompeo, as the next Secretary of State. Mike is razor-sharp, a dedicated patriot, and possesses the type of experience that makes him an outstanding choice to be our next top diplomat."

Sen Ron Johnson, R-WI, serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that will hold a confirmation hearing on Pompeo in April. He sent a statement saying, “Secretary Tillerson served his country admirably in a very difficult job, and I have a great deal of respect for him.”  I look forward to meeting with Director Pompeo to discuss his nomination and learn more about his plans for running the State Department.”

UWM Professor Mordecai Lee said the shift in leadership will dramatically change how the state department operates.

"There's going to be the president, and the secretary of state, sort of really together," Lee said. "And then there's going to be the state department, and the state department is going to have policies, and the president and the secretary are going to have policies, and they might not even jive. In other words, they're sort of cutting the state department out of the action."

Lee says he thinks foreign governments will soon question whether state department foreign agents accurately reflect the views of u-s leadership.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-WI, tweeted out that "The chaotic revolving door in the Trump Administration continues to undermine our national security abroad and here at home."

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-WI, said Pompeo is "an experienced and poised leader, which makes him an excellent choice for Secretary of State. I congratulate him and look forward to his speedy confirmation by the Senate.”

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