Career Timeline of Mike Pompeo: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Mike Pompeo built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Michael Richard Pompeo is an American politician, attorney, diplomat, and former U.S. Army officer. He served as the Director of the CIA from 2017 to 2018 and as the 70th U.S. Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Prior to his roles in the Trump administration, Pompeo was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1986: Served in the U.S. Army

From 1986, Mike Pompeo served in the U.S. Army as an armor officer with the West Germany-based 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry in the 4th Infantry Division.

1991: Pompeo left the U.S. Army

In 1991, Mike Pompeo left the U.S. Army at the rank of captain.

1996: Moved to Wichita, Kansas, acquired aircraft-parts manufacturers and renamed the entity Thayer Aerospace

In 1996, Mike Pompeo moved to Wichita, Kansas, acquired aircraft-parts manufacturers there (Aero Machine, Precision Profiling, B&B Machine) and in St. Louis (Advance Tool & Die), renaming the entity Thayer Aerospace after West Point superintendent Sylvanus Thayer.

1998: Became an Entrepreneur

In 1998, Mike Pompeo transitioned from working as an attorney to becoming an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield industries.

2006: Sold interest in Nex-Tech Aerospace and became president of Sentry International

In 2006, Mike Pompeo sold his interest in Nex-Tech Aerospace and then became president of Sentry International.

2009: Pompeo Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge

In 2009 Mike Pompeo signed the No Climate Tax pledge of Americans for Prosperity.

2010: Elected to the House of Representatives

In 2010, Mike Pompeo was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Kansas's 4th congressional district.

2010: Won Republican primary for Kansas's 4th District congressional seat

In 2010, Mike Pompeo won the Republican primary for Kansas's 4th District congressional seat with 39% of the vote and was later endorsed by Bob Dole.

May 31, 2011: Pompeo Votes to Eliminate Funding for the United Nations Population Fund

On May 31, 2011, Mike Pompeo voted for H.R.2059 11-HR2059, which eliminated funding for the United Nations Population Fund.

2011: Represented Kansas's 4th congressional district

From 2011, Mike Pompeo represented Kansas's 4th congressional district.

2011: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2011, Mike Pompeo began his service in the United States House of Representatives.

2012: Pompeo Calls for Elimination of Wind Power Tax Credits

In 2012 Mike Pompeo called for the permanent elimination of wind power production tax credits, calling them an "enormous government handout".

2012: Defeated Democratic nominee Robert Tillman

In 2012, Mike Pompeo defeated Democratic nominee Robert Tillman by a margin of 62–32%.

2013: Pompeo's Comments on Guantanamo Bay and Interrogation

In 2013, Mike Pompeo opposed closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. After a visit to the prison, he said, of the prisoners who were on hunger strike, "It looked to me like a lot of them had put on weight." He criticized the Obama administration's decision to end secret prisons and its requirement that all interrogators adhere to anti-torture laws.

2013: Pompeo Supports Government Shutdown, Blames Obama

In 2013, Mike Pompeo supported the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, blaming President Obama. He said he believed the shutdown was necessary to avoid an "American financial collapse 10 years from now".

2013: Pompeo Supports NSA Surveillance Programs

In 2013, Mike Pompeo supported the surveillance programs of the National Security Agency, referring to the agency's efforts as "good and important work".

2013: Pompeo's Comments on Muslim Leaders

In a 2013 speech on the House floor, Mike Pompeo said Muslim leaders who fail to denounce acts of terrorism done in the name of Islam are "potentially complicit" in the attacks. The Council on American–Islamic Relations called on him to revise his remarks, calling them "false and irresponsible".

2013: Pompeo's Statements on Climate Change

Speaking about climate change in 2013, Mike Pompeo said there are scientists who think different things about climate change, including some who believe the climate has been stable for the last 16 years.

March 2014: Pompeo Denounces Snowden Telecast

In March 2014, Mike Pompeo denounced the inclusion of a telecast by Edward Snowden at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, and asked that it be cancelled, predicting it would encourage "lawless behavior" among attendees.

2014: Won the general election

In 2014, Mike Pompeo won the general election with 67% of the vote, defeating Democrat Perry Schuckman.

July 21, 2015: Pompeo Alleges Secret Agreements Between Iran and IAEA

On July 21, 2015, Mike Pompeo and Senator Tom Cotton alleged the existence of secret side agreements between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on procedures for inspection and verification of Iran's nuclear activities under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Obama administration officials acknowledged the existence of agreements between Iran and the IAEA governing the inspection of sensitive military sites but denied that they were "secret side deals".

November 2015: Pompeo Visits Israel, Praises Netanyahu

In November 2015, Mike Pompeo visited Israel and said, "Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu is a true partner of the American people."

2015: Pompeo Opposes Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2015, Mike Pompeo opposed the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by the United States and supported eliminating the United States federal register of greenhouse gas emissions. As a member of the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he voted against the Clean Power Plan.

2015: Sponsor of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015

In 2015, Mike Pompeo was the original sponsor of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.

February 2016: Pompeo Calls for Snowden's Death Sentence

In February 2016, Mike Pompeo said Snowden "should be brought back from Russia and given due process, and I think the proper outcome would be that he would be given a death sentence." He also expressed support for reforming the Federal Records Act.

November 18, 2016: Nominated to be Director of the CIA

On November 18, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Mike Pompeo to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

2016: Pompeo Calls for Re-establishment of Metadata Collection

In 2016 Mike Pompeo stated, "Congress should pass a law re-establishing collection of all metadata, and combining it with publicly available financial and lifestyle information into a comprehensive, searchable database. Legal and bureaucratic impediments to surveillance should be removed. That includes Presidential Policy Directive-28, which bestows privacy rights on foreigners and imposes burdensome requirements to justify data collection."

2016: Pompeo Receives "National Security Eagle Award"

In 2016, ACT for America gave Mike Pompeo a "national security eagle award" for his comments on Islam. Pompeo has been a frequent guest on anti-Muslim activist Frank Gaffney's radio show for the Center for Security Policy.

2016: Beat Democrat Daniel B. Giroux in the general election

In 2016, Mike Pompeo beat Democrat Daniel B. Giroux in the general election with 61% of the vote.

2016: Endorsed Donald Trump

In 2016, Mike Pompeo endorsed Donald Trump after Trump became the Republican nominee in the presidential election, despite previously criticizing him.

2016: Democratic senators running for reelection in 2018 in states that Trump won in 2016, voting to confirm Pompeo

In 2016, five of ten Democratic senators running for reelection in 2018 in states that Trump won in 2016, voting to confirm Pompeo.

January 2017: Appointed Director of the CIA

In January 2017, Donald Trump appointed Mike Pompeo as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

January 2017: Appointment to director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

In January 2017, Mike Pompeo was appointed director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

January 2017: Reaffirmation of Saudi Arabia–United States relations since Trump took office

In January 2017, Pompeo honored the then-crown prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Nayef with the CIA's "George Tenet" Medal. It was the first reaffirmation of Saudi Arabia–United States relations since Trump took office.

January 23, 2017: Confirmed as CIA Director

On January 23, 2017, Mike Pompeo was confirmed by the Senate as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and sworn in later that day.

February 2017: Traveled to Turkey and Saudi Arabia

In February 2017, Mike Pompeo traveled to Turkey and Saudi Arabia to discuss policy on Syria and ISIL and reaffirm Saudi Arabia–United States relations.

March 2017: Invoked state secrets privilege

In March 2017, Mike Pompeo formally invoked state secrets privilege to prevent CIA officers from being compelled to testify in the trial of Bruce Jessen and James Elmer Mitchell.

April 2017: Pompeo Calls WikiLeaks a 'Non-State Hostile Intelligence Service'

In an April 2017 speech addressing the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Pompeo called WikiLeaks "a non-state hostile intelligence service" and described Assange as a "narcissist" and "a fraud—a coward hiding behind a screen".

April 2017: Described WikiLeaks as a "hostile intelligence service"

On April 13, 2017, Mike Pompeo described WikiLeaks as a "hostile intelligence service" in response to the publication of Vault 7.

June 2017: Named Michael D'Andrea head of the CIA's Iran mission center

In June 2017, Mike Pompeo named Michael D'Andrea head of the CIA's Iran mission center.

July 2017: Pompeo on Denuclearizing North Korea

In July 2017, Mike Pompeo spoke about denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, and the dangers of the leader in control of the weapons.

August 2017: Took direct command of the Counterintelligence Mission Center

In August 2017, Mike Pompeo took direct command of the Counterintelligence Mission Center.

September 2017: Sought authority for CIA to make covert drone strikes

In September 2017, Mike Pompeo sought authority for the CIA to make covert drone strikes without the Pentagon's involvement, including inside Afghanistan.

2017: Director of the CIA

In 2017, Mike Pompeo began his service as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the first administration of Donald Trump.

2017: Pompeo Supports Moving US Embassy to Jerusalem

In 2017, Mike Pompeo supported Trump's decision to move America's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

2017: Pompeo Seeks to Undermine Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2017, Mike Pompeo worked to undermine the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal with Iran (which had been negotiated by the Obama administration) saying, "I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism." He also suggested using military action against Iran's nuclear capacity.

2017: End of Term in the House of Representatives

In 2017, Mike Pompeo's service in the United States House of Representatives concluded.

2017: Appointed Former Business Partner as CIA COO

In 2017, upon becoming head of the CIA, Mike Pompeo appointed his former business partner, Brian Bulatao, as the agency's chief operating officer.

March 13, 2018: Nominated to serve as Secretary of State

On March 13, 2018, President Trump announced that he would nominate Mike Pompeo to serve as Secretary of State.

March 31, 2018: Rex Tillerson stepped down

On March 31, 2018, Rex Tillerson stepped down from his position as Secretary of State.

April 2018: Appointed Secretary of State

In April 2018, Donald Trump appointed Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State.

April 26, 2018: Sworn in as Secretary of State

On April 26, 2018, Mike Pompeo was sworn in as Secretary of State.

July 2018: Raised the issue of Xinjiang internment camps and human rights abuses

In July 2018, Mike Pompeo raised the issue of Xinjiang internment camps and human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority in China.

August 2018: Pompeo Calls for Release of Oleg Sentsov

In August 2018, Mike Pompeo called on Russia to "immediately release" jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov.

August 2018: Thanked Saudi Arabia for its support for northeast Syria

In August 2018, Mike Pompeo thanked Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman "for Saudi Arabia's support for northeast Syria's urgent stabilization needs" and discussed the situation in war-torn Yemen.

September 2018: Pompeo Backs US Military Support for Saudi War in Yemen

In September 2018, Mike Pompeo "backed continued U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen over the objections of staff members after being warned that a cutoff could jeopardize $2 billion in weapons sales to America's Gulf allies, according to a classified memo and people familiar with the decision".

October 10, 2018: Stated Israel is everything we want the entire Middle East to look like going forward

On October 10, 2018, Mike Pompeo said Israel "is everything we want the entire Middle East to look like going forward" and that the Israel–United States relations are "stronger than ever".

November 2018: Pompeo Blames Iran for Yemen Humanitarian Crisis

In November 2018, Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, saying, "Iran causes death and destruction inside of Yemen and does nothing to prevent the starvation," while Saudi Arabia has "provided millions and millions of dollars of humanitarian relief" for Yemen.

2018: Visited North Korea and met with Kim Jong-un

During Easter weekend in 2018, Mike Pompeo visited North Korea and met with Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un to discuss the upcoming 2018 North Korea–United States summit between Kim and Trump.

2018: Secretary of State

In 2018, Mike Pompeo became the 70th United States Secretary of State, serving in the first administration of Donald Trump.

2018: Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of sending Pompeo's nomination to the full Senate

In 2018, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 11–9 in favor of sending Pompeo's nomination to the full Senate.

January 7, 2019: Pompeo's diplomatic tour of the Middle East

On January 7, 2019, Pompeo started a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, going to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the Gulf nations. He aimed to reassure regional partners that the U.S. commitment to degrading the Islamic State and countering Iranian influence remained firm, despite the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria.

January 23, 2019: U.S. recognition of Juan Guaidó and cancellation of ceremony

On January 23, 2019, Pompeo announced that the U.S. would recognize Juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela. Additionally, a ceremony hosted by the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce, originally intended to honor Pompeo and Jair Bolsonaro, was canceled after protests over Bolsonaro's remarks.

March 2019: Spoke to "the work that our administration's done to make sure that this democracy in the Middle East, that this Jewish state, remains... I am confident that the Lord is at work here."

In March 2019, Mike Pompeo spoke to "the work that our administration's done to make sure that this democracy in the Middle East, that this Jewish state, remains ... I am confident that the Lord is at work here." following a visit to the Western Wall with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

April 2019: Speech at Texas A&M University

In an April 2019 speech at Texas A&M University, Mike Pompeo said "I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole. It was like we had entire training courses . . . it reminds you of the glory of the American experiment."

May 14, 2019: Pompeo meets with Lavrov and Putin in Sochi

On May 14, 2019, Pompeo engaged in meetings in Sochi, Russia, including a three-hour discussion with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and a ninety-minute meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Discussions covered Syria, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Pompeo also addressed Russian election interference, which Putin denied.

May 2019: Pompeo Refuses to Sign Arctic Council Statement on Climate Change

In May 2019, Mike Pompeo acted against environmental protection at the Arctic Council. He refused to sign on to a joint statement addressing the need for protection of the Arctic region from the threat of rapidly melting ice unless all mentions of climate change were removed from the document.

January 2020: Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

In January 2020, the Trump administration authorized a drone strike that assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Pompeo was reportedly a key advisor in the decision-making process. Following the strike, Pompeo stated that the attack was ordered to disrupt an "imminent attack" by Soleimani operatives.

May 13, 2020: Pompeo Visits Israel

On May 13, 2020, Pompeo made a visit to Israel, marking his first trip overseas since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

June 2020: Pompeo declines to run for Senate in Kansas

In June 2020, Pompeo decided not to leave the Trump administration to run for the U.S. Senate seat in Kansas, which was open after Pat Roberts announced his retirement.

July 23, 2020: Pompeo Announces End of 'Blind Engagement' with China

On July 23, 2020, Mike Pompeo, during his Communist China and the Free World's Future speech, announced the end of what he called "blind engagement" with the Chinese government. He also criticized Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping as "a true believer in a bankrupt totalitarian ideology".

August 27, 2020: Pompeo concludes Middle East trip to encourage Arab-Israeli normalization

On August 27, 2020, Pompeo concluded a Middle East trip after visiting Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al-Said. The trip aimed to encourage Arab countries to follow the UAE's move to normalize relations with Israel.

September 2020: Pompeo Accuses China of Fomenting Racial Unrest in the U.S.

In September 2020, Mike Pompeo accused the Chinese government of trying to foment racial unrest in the United States during an address to state lawmakers in Wisconsin.

October 2020: Pompeo Cancels Visits Due to Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis

In October 2020, Donald Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19, and Mike Pompeo cancelled scheduled visits to South Korea and Mongolia. However, he still held a meeting with the foreign ministers of Quad allies Australia, India and Japan, during which he accused the Chinese Communist Party of "exploitation, corruption and coercion".

January 12, 2021: Pompeo Cancels European Trip

On January 12, 2021, Pompeo cancelled a planned European trip after European diplomats declined to meet with him.

January 2021: Pompeo Joins Hudson Institute

In January 2021, Pompeo joined the Hudson Institute as a distinguished fellow.

April 1, 2021: Biden administration repeals sanctions against the ICC

On April 1, 2021, the Biden administration repealed the sanctions that were applied to the ICC's personnel through Executive Order 14022.

June 2021: Pompeo Found CAVPAC

In June 2021, Pompeo founded the Champion American Values PAC (CAVPAC).

2021: End of Term as Secretary of State

In 2021, Mike Pompeo's term as the United States Secretary of State came to an end.

February 2022: Pompeo Praises Putin, Later Calls Him a Dictator

In February 2022, right before Russia invaded Ukraine, Mike Pompeo gave an interview in which he praised Russian president Vladimir Putin. Russian state television aired the interview. Later that month, during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Pompeo called Putin a "dictator" over the invasion, though also stated that he continued to believe that China was a greater national security threat to the United States than Russia.

March 4, 2022: Pompeo Speech in Taiwan

On March 4, 2022, Pompeo delivered a speech in Taiwan, paid by the Prospect Foundation, and called on the United States to recognize the Republic of China as an independent and sovereign country.

June 2022: Pompeo Describes Russian Invasion of Ukraine as 'Planned Genocide'

During a speech at the Hudson Institute in June 2022, Mike Pompeo described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a "planned genocide" designed to create a "new Russian Empire" similar to the Soviet Union with large amounts of energy reserves.

2022: Pompeo Calls for U.S. Recognition of Taiwan

Visiting Taipei in 2022, Mike Pompeo said that the U.S. should recognize the Republic of China (Taiwan) as an independent country.

January 2023: Pompeo's Memoir Published

In January 2023, HarperCollins published Pompeo's memoir, "Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love."

Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love

Check it on Amazon

April 2023: Pompeo Decides Not to Run for President

In April 2023, Pompeo announced his decision not to run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, after considering a candidacy and touring early primary states.

October 2023: Pompeo Joins Oberheiden, P.C.

In October 2023, Pompeo became Of counsel for Texas-based law firm Oberheiden, P.C., a federal criminal defense law firm, joining former US Congressman Trey Gowdy and former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe.

2023: Pompeo Joins Cyabra's Board of Directors

In 2023, Pompeo joined the board of directors of Cyabra, an Israeli counter-disinformation company.

2023: Pompeo Features in Documentary

In 2023, alongside David M. Friedman, Pompeo featured in the documentary "Route 60: The Biblical Highway", directed by Matt Crouch.

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2023: Pompeo Claims Israel Has Biblical Claim to Palestinian Territories

In 2023, during a podcast interview, Mike Pompeo claimed that Israel had a biblical claim to the Palestinian territories, and therefore the situation could not be defined as an occupation. Pompeo also called Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas a "known terrorist".

May 2024: Pompeo Attends Inauguration of Taiwan's President Lai

In May 2024, Mike Pompeo returned to Taiwan as part of the American delegation to the inauguration of President William Lai. Pompeo reiterated his support for official U.S. recognition of the country during the visit.

June 2024: Pompeo Launches the Pompeo Foundation

In June 2024, Pompeo launched the Pompeo Foundation by creating an account on X and registering for 501(c)3 status.

2024: Trump Declares Pompeo Unwelcome

Following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election, he declared that Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley would not be invited to join his next administration. According to The Wall Street Journal, Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr. played a key role in blocking Pompeo's return; Carlson argued that Pompeo was a "warmonger".

2024: Pompeo's book release and political ambitions

In 2024, Pompeo's book, Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, was seen as a promotion for his presumed candidacy in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. The book reiterates Pompeo's view that the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi was of little international consequence.

Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love

Check it on Amazon

2024: Pompeo Considered Republican presidential nomination

Pompeo considered a candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and toured early primary states.

January 22, 2025: Pompeo's Security Detail Revoked

On January 22, 2025, President Trump revoked Mike Pompeo's security detail.

February 2025: Pompeo Hired by Columbia University

In February 2025, Mike Pompeo was hired by Columbia University as a distinguished fellow at its Institute of Global Politics to teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership. Pompeo believed that Columbia University hired him to provide a different view than most of the faculty.