In Surprise Statement, Tillerson Shuts Down Story

In what CBS News calls "abruptly scheduled remarks" Wednesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called President Trump "smart" as part of a direct repudiation of a report from NBC News that alleged Tillerson came within an arm's length of resigning this summer and called the president a "moron" in a Pentagon meeting. 

NBC News' sources said VP Mike Pence coaxed Tillerson into staying, which Tillerson directly countered. Pence has "never had to persuade me" because "I have never considered leaving this post."

Read the full story on Newser.com

• Trump to Puerto Rico: You've Thrown Budget 'Out of Whack'
• Guess What Anti-Abortion Rep. Apparently Wanted Mistress to Get
• Trump Pledges to 'Wipe Out' Puerto Rico Debt. There's a 'But'