Tillerson Says that He Is ‘Not Going Anywhere’

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday he is not resigning from his post, despite news reports that suggest otherwise.

“I’m not going anywhere”, Tillerson said after meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Newsmax reports.

When asked how long he plans to stay in the Trump administration, Tillerson replied, “As long as the president lets me”. CNN reported Monday that Tillerson is frustrated with the White House, disagrees with President Donald Trump’s public criticisms of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and continues to wait for updates regarding his understaffed agency.

Tillerson’s comments Wednesday indicate he is prepared to remain in his post, at least for now. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tuesday Tillerson has no plans to resign.

“We have spoken with the secretary. The secretary has been very clear he intends to stay here at the State Department. 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.” Nauert said during a press briefing.

Tillerson’s decision to take a vacation that was not announced ahead of time, added to speculation that he is considering resigning his position over growing frustrations with the way the White House operates, Vice News reports.

There have been signs that Tillerson’s heart is not entirely into the job, according to Vice News, including cutting short a trip to South Korea in March due to “fatigue” skipping an annual press conference on the State Department’s human rights report, and isolating himself from dealing with anyone except for two trusted aides, who shield him from others.