Former Secretary of State and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice in a new interview expresses doubt at the idea of one person filling both positions at the same time.

The comments from Rice, who served under former President George W. Bush, come after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE this week solidified his status as President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE's most influential adviser on foreign policy following the ouster of national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonJudge appears skeptical of Bolton's defense of publishing book without White House approval Maximum pressure is keeping US troops in Iraq and Syria Woodward book trails Bolton, Mary Trump in first-week sales MORE.

"I think maybe even Henry Kissinger would say that that might not be the best idea because the president needs a secretary of State who is the chief diplomat who is out executing on behalf of the country, who is confirmed by and accountable to the Congress,” Rice said in an interview with “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan set to air on "CBS Sunday."

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Kissinger served in both positions under President Richard Nixon for two years before handing off the national security adviser role to Brent Scowcroft in 1975.

"The national security adviser has to be the president's alter ego, behind the scenes more. Working to bring all of the Cabinet secretaries together, making sure the defense is heard, the treasury's heard," Rice added in the CBS interview.

"And so if that person is also the secretary of state, you're not going to have that kind of separation that you need to make sure that everybody is heard," she added.

CBS reported that sources close to the administration said it was possible Trump could ask Pompeo to serve in the role of national security adviser following Bolton's ouster.

But Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday evening before leaving for a House GOP retreat that he does not plan to make Pompeo his national security adviser.

“I actually spoke to Mike Pompeo about that and he decided – I get along with him so well, we have a lot of the same views, couple of different views – but he likes the idea of having someone in there with him," Trump said.

Earlier Thursday, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwaySpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report George and Kellyanne Conway honor Ginsburg Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE had declined to rule out the idea of one person serving in both roles. Trump has said he will name a replacement next week from among five candidates.