Tillerson: Government ‘not a highly disciplined organization’

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared to express frustrations with public office on Thursday, saying the government is “not a highly disciplined organization” during comments with reporters.

“Well it is a lot different than being CEO of Exxon because I was the ultimate decision-maker,” said Tillerson, who worked at the oil and gas corporation for 41 years, adding “that always makes life easier.”

“You own it, you make the decision, and I had a very different organization around me. One that I spent my whole life with, people knew me very well and they knew what to expect,” he continued, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The CEO-turned-diplomat was speaking to two pool reporters on a flight returning from the Middle East.

{mosads}”We had very long-standing, disciplined processes and decision-making — I mean, highly structured — that allows you to accomplish a lot, to accomplish a lot in a very efficient way,” he said.

“It’s largely not a highly disciplined organization,” Tillerson said, referring to the U.S. government.

“Decision-making is fragmented, and sometimes people don’t want to take decisions. Coordination is difficult through the interagency [process].”

Tillerson, who has said he did not seek the country’s top diplomatic post, made the comments after reports surfaced he has expressed frustration with the administration.

Politico reported last month Tillerson took his frustration out on a White House official amid negative press coverage and delays in approving appointments.

The Trump administration, which has said it is looking to promote America first policies, appears to be making major changes to the State Department, including a proposed budget cut of nearly 30 percent, a hiring freeze and potentially aiming to rearrange offices within the department.