Kentucky GOP Rand Paul will support CIA director Mike Pompeo’s nomination to lead the State Department, clearing the way for confirmation, the senator announced Monday.
Paul decided to support Pompeo after he “received assurances” from President Donald Trump that Pompeo believes the Iraq war was a mistake and the U.S. should leave Afghanistan, the Kentucky Republican announced on Twitter shortly before a panel vote Monday.
“After calling continuously for weeks for Director Pompeo to support President Trump’s belief that the Iraq war was a mistake, and that it is time to leave Afghanistan, today I received confirmation the Director Pompeo agrees with [Trump],” Paul said.
After calling continuously for weeks for Director Pompeo to support President Trump’s belief that the Iraq war was a mistake, and that it is time to leave Afghanistan, today I received confirmation the Director Pompeo agrees with @realDonaldTrump
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 23, 2018
President Trump believes that Iraq was a mistake, that regime change has destabilized the region, and that we must end our involvement with Afghanistan.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 23, 2018
Having received assurances from President Trump and Director Pompeo that he agrees with the President on these important issues, I have decided to support his nomination to be our next Secretary of State.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 23, 2018
Pompeo’s confirmation looked uncertain since his April 12 hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but he now has the votes to clear a panel vote scheduled for Monday. Several Senate Democrats — Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota — also said Monday they would support Pompeo in the floor confirmation vote later this week, all but guaranteeing he would become secretary of state.
Paul would oppose Pompeo’s leadership at State, he said for weeks. So did Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, who said Monday he’d support the nominee. Trump tweeted his frustration that “obstructionists” would block Pompeo.
Hard to believe Obstructionists May vote against Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State. The Dems will not approve hundreds of good people, including the Ambassador to Germany. They are maxing out the time on approval process for all, never happened before. Need more Republicans!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 23, 2018
Trump expressed confidence in Paul’s support for Pompeo April 18 when he said Paul had “never let [him] down.”
Follow Thomas Phippen on Twitter
Send tips to thomas@
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.