Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has had a troubled year at the State Department, his attempts to improve the department met with scorn from other top officials, and his talk of diplomacy undercut, often very publicly, by the president.

The latest reports indicate his long-anticipated departure from State could be coming in the next few weeks, under a new plan pushed by Gen. John Kelly, which would see Tillerson ousted, and replaced by current CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

The story originated in the New York Times, and officials are saying that it actually got there directly from the White House, as a way of White House officials "sending a message" to Tillerson. The message, needless to say, is not a friendly one, though officials also say a final decision to oust him hasn't been made yet. Ironically, Gen. Kelly, whose scheme this was in the first place, is said to have called the State Department initially trying to downplay the report.