President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE said on Tuesday that he made the decision to oust Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE on his own, and that Tillerson would be "much happier now."

"I made that decision by myself. Rex wasn't, as you know, in this country," Trump said. Tillerson returned to Washington on Tuesday after a trip to Africa.

"As far as Rex Tillerson is concerned, I very much appreciate his commitment and his service and I wish him well," Trump told reporters outside the White House. "He's a good man."

Trump's comments came minutes after he abruptly announced that he had replaced Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Trump steps up Iran fight in final election stretch MORE. He said that he and Pompeo are "always on the same wavelength."

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"Tremendous energy, tremendous intellect," Trump said of Pompeo. "We are always on the same wavelength. The relationship is very, very good, and that's what I need as secretary of State."

Updated at 11:05 a.m.