Challenges Faced by Mike Pompeo: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Mike Pompeo. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

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

2016: Ukraine Interference

On November 26, 2019, Pompeo commented on the possibility that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 election.

March 2019: Pompeo and Giuliani Exchange Communications

In late March 2019, Pompeo and Giuliani exchanged emails and phone calls before Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was recalled from Ukraine. Giuliani later admitted to speaking with Pompeo to relay information gathered during his Ukrainian research, providing him with memos of interviews with Ukrainian prosecutors at Pompeo's request.

May 2019: Pompeo Pushes Through Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE

In May 2019, Pompeo declared an "emergency" to push through $8.1 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, citing Iranian activity. This decision faced widespread congressional opposition and triggered an investigation by the State Department inspector general.

October 22, 2019: Taylor Testifies on Ukraine Aid

On October 22, 2019, William B. Taylor Jr. testified that the White House was withholding military aid to Ukraine to force cooperation on U.S. domestic political issues, and that Pompeo failed to respond directly to complaints about Rudy Giuliani's shadow foreign policy efforts, leading Taylor to conclude that Ukrainians would die due to the lack of aid.

October 23, 2019: FOIA Request for Ukraine-Related Records

On October 23, 2019, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by American Oversight led to a federal judge ordering the State Department to release Ukraine-related records, including communications between Pompeo and Rudy Giuliani.

November 20, 2019: Sondland's Testimony

On November 20, 2019, Gordon Sondland testified that Rick Perry, Kurt Volker, and himself kept in touch with Rudy Giuliani regarding the President's expectation for Ukraine to investigate corruption issues. Sondland stated they kept the NSC and State Department, including Pompeo, informed and that Pompeo was still telling Volker to talk with Giuliani as late as September 24.

November 26, 2019: Pompeo on Ukraine Interference

On November 26, 2019, Pompeo appeared to legitimize a conspiracy theory suggesting Ukraine, not just Russia, interfered in the 2016 United States elections, stating the U.S. has a duty to investigate any country that has interfered with American elections.

April 23, 2020: Pompeo Claims China Denied U.S. Scientists Access

On April 23, 2020, Pompeo claimed that China had denied U.S. scientists permission to enter the country to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2020: Trump Fires Inspector General Linick

In May 2020, Trump fired Inspector General Linick at Pompeo's recommendation, leading to scrutiny from Congress.

June 2020: Linick Testifies About Pressure to Halt Investigation

In June 2020, Linick testified that Brian Bulatao attempted to improperly pressure him into halting the investigation into Pompeo.

August 2020: Afghan Government Releases Taliban Prisoners

By August 2020, the Afghan government released all but 400 of the 5,000 imprisoned Taliban members as required by the deal. Pompeo urged the Afghan government to release the remaining prisoners to start intra-Afghan negotiations.

August 2020: OIG Report on Emergency Arms Sales

In August 2020, the OIG issued a report following the investigation into emergency arms sales, finding that Pompeo did not violate procedures but that the State Department failed to fully consider the humanitarian impact of the sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

August 25, 2020: Pompeo Speaks at Republican National Convention

On August 25, 2020, Pompeo recorded a speech during an official diplomatic visit to Jerusalem for the Republican National Convention, in support of Donald Trump. This broke precedent and led to an ethics probe.

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".

November 10, 2020: Pompeo on Transition to Second Trump Administration

On November 10, 2020, Pompeo stated there would be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration, despite Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election.

December 2020: Pompeo Hosts Holiday Parties

In December 2020, Pompeo hosted large indoor holiday parties during a spike in COVID-19 cases, violating public health guidelines and D.C. restrictions. These parties were described as superspreader events, and many invitees rejected invitations.

2020: Killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani

The assassination plot against Pompeo in 2022 was reportedly part of a broader Iranian campaign to target former senior U.S. officials involved in the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

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 19, 2021: State Department Determines Genocide in Xinjiang

On January 19, 2021, Pompeo announced that the State Department had determined that China perpetrated "genocide and crimes against humanity" against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang.

January 20, 2021: China Sanctions Pompeo

On January 20, 2021, China sanctioned Pompeo and other Trump administration officials for violating China's sovereignty. The sanctions included bans from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as restrictions on doing business with China.

August 2021: Pompeo on Afghanistan Withdrawal

In August 2021, Pompeo expressed support for the Biden administration's extension of the U.S. troop withdrawal timeline from Afghanistan but later distanced himself and the Trump administration from the situation following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

November 2021: Report Concludes Pompeo Violated Hatch Act

In November 2021, the Office of the Special Counsel released a report concluding that Pompeo was one of at least 13 senior Trump administration officials who violated the Hatch Act by speaking at the Republican National Convention.

2021: Regret over lack of progress on North Korea

In a 2021 interview, Mike Pompeo said that he regretted the lack of progress made on North Korea.

August 2022: Alleged Iranian Plot to Assassinate Pompeo

In August 2022, it was revealed that Pompeo was the target of an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate him and other officials.

2022: Lawsuit Filed Against Pompeo Over Assange Surveillance

In 2022 a lawsuit was filed against Pompeo and other defendants alleging that they have illegally placed Assange and his guests under surveillance.

2022: Iranian Assassination Plot Against Pompeo in Paris

In 2022, Iranian operatives nearly assassinated Mike Pompeo during his visit to Paris, according to a report in The Washington Post. The operation was part of a broader Iranian campaign to target former senior U.S. officials involved in the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

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".

January 22, 2025: Pompeo's Security Detail Revoked

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

June 2025: Reported Iranian Assassination Plot

In June 2025, The Washington Post reported, citing intelligence sources, that Iranian operatives came close to assassinating Pompeo during his visit to Paris in 2022. The operation was reportedly part of a broader Iranian campaign to target former senior U.S. officials involved in the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The plot ultimately failed, but Iranian agents came alarmingly close to executing the plan.