US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert flatly denied rumors on Tuesday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is planning his departure from the agency but noted that he serves "at the pleasure of the president," The Hill reports.
"We have spoken with the secretary. The secretary has been very clear he intends to stay here at the State Department," Nauert told reporters at a press briefing. "We have a lot of work that is left to be done ahead of us. He recognizes that. He's deeply engaged in that work."
"He does, however, serve at the pleasure of the president just as any cabinet official would," she added.
Nauert acknowledged that she had not spoken to Tillerson on Tuesday and said that the secretary is currently out for travel. Tillerson's public schedule for Tuesday shows no public events or appointments.
"Just taking a little time off. He just came back from that mega-trip overseas, as you all well know," Nauert said. "So he's entitled to take a few days himself."
