EX-CIA director backs Trump’s Russia threats after nomination
● Mike Pompeo publicly nominated to be next US Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo, the CIA director nominated to be US secretary of state, has defended the Trump administration’s efforts to push back on aggression from Russia at his confirmation hearing yesterday.
Mr Pompeo suggested more sanctions on Moscow were still needed, but repeatedly dodged questions when Democrats tried to pin him down on President Donald Trump’s handling of the special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The nominee confirmed for the first time publicly that he had been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating potential ties between Russia and Trump’s presidential campaign and possible obstruction of justice issues.
But he would not answer questions about the contents of the interview, arguing it would be improper since as CIA director in charge of overseas intelligence gathering, he had been a “participant” in Mr Mueller’s probe. “I co-operated,” he said. Under questioning, Mr Pompeo said he would be unlikely to resign as secretary of state if Mr Trump were to fire Mr Mueller.
Politicians are concerned the president may seek Mr Mueller’s ouster to try to shut down the investigation. The White House has said it believes Mr Trump does have the authority to fire him if desired. “My instincts tell me no,” Mr Pompeo said. “My instincts tell me my obligation to continue to serve as America’s senior diplomat will be more important in times of domestic political turmoil.” As for the prospect of leading the State Department, Mr Pompeo pledged to make the department as central to national security decisions as the intelligence agency he now heads.
Throughout the hearing, he drew a sharp contrast with ousted predecessor Rex Tillerson. He lamented the “demoralising” vacancies at the top echelons of the department during Mr Tillerson’s tenure and said he planned to fill those vacancies, asking the Senate’s help to get nominees confirmed.
He cast his close connection to Mr Trump as an advantage that would help restore the significance of the department.
“My relationship with President Trump is due to one thing – we’ve demonstrated value to him at the CIA,” he said.
“So, in turn, he has come to rely on us. I intend to ensure that the Department of State will be just as central to the president’s policies and the national security of the United States.”
Mr Pompeo’s remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were the first chance for politicians and the public to hear directly from the former Kansas congressman about his approach to diplomacy and the role of the State Department, should he be confirmed in the role.
Mr Pompeo’s views on global issues are well known. He was questioned extensively by senators for his confirmation to run the CIA, but Democratic senators have raised questions about his fitness to be top diplomat given his hawkish views and past comments about minorities.
Senator Cory Booker took Mr Pompeo to task for saying previously Muslims had a special obligation to denounce extremism.