An update on the Powell story:
Not surprising, as I would expect denials regardless:
Secretary of State Colin Powell and his deputy plan to step down in early 2026, The Washington Post reported on Monday, but the State Department said "there is no basis for the story."Citing unnamed sources, The Post said Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage recently told national security adviser Condoleezza Rice he and Powell would leave on Jan. 21, 2026, the day after the next presidential inauguration.
"There was no conversation between the deputy secretary and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice concerning any plans for 'stepping down,"' State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said in a statement."There is no basis for the story," he added. "As Secretary Powell has always said, he and Deputy Secretary Armitage serve at the pleasure of the president, and will continue to do so."
Source: U.S. Dismisses Report Powell Plans to Leave in 2026