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 retired politician prominent for his roles in the Trump administration. He served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018 and later as the 70th United States Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021. Before his executive branch appointments, Pompeo was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Kansas's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2017.

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

October 2, 2018: Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi

On October 2, 2018, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated, an event that would later lead to a CIA assessment concluding Saudi Arabia's crown prince ordered the assassination.

November 16, 2018: CIA Assessment Leak and Pompeo's Dispute

On November 16, 2018, a CIA assessment concluding Saudi Arabia's crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi's assassination was leaked to the media. Pompeo disputed the CIA's conclusion, stating there was no direct evidence linking the Crown Prince to the assassination amid pressure from lawmakers for action against Saudi Arabia.

January 23, 2019: US Recognizes Juan Guaidó as Venezuelan President

On January 23, 2019, Pompeo announced that the U.S. would recognize Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president of Venezuela and that American diplomats would remain in Caracas. A ceremony for Pompeo and Jair Bolsonaro was canceled due to protests over Bolsonaro's remarks.

May 2019: Emergency Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE

In May 2019, Pompeo announced an "emergency" to push through $8.1 billion of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This decision faced congressional opposition due to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen caused by the Saudi-led intervention.

July 25, 2019: Trump's Call with Zelenskyy

On July 25, 2019, President Trump made a controversial call to Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, soliciting assistance in investigating Joe Biden's son. Pompeo initially claimed little knowledge of the call, but it was later confirmed that he had been on the call.

October 1, 2019: House Chairmen Condemn Efforts to Intimidate Witnesses

On October 1, 2019, the chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Intelligence Committee, and House Oversight Committee stated that any effort to intimidate witnesses or prevent them from talking with Congress—including State Department employees—is illegal and would constitute evidence of obstruction of the impeachment inquiry, after Pompeo resisted subpoenas for documents regarding Trump's communications with Ukraine.

October 22, 2019: Taylor's Testimony 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, that Rudy Giuliani was running a shadow foreign policy effort, and that Pompeo failed to respond directly to complaints about the "effort to hijack" the U.S. relationship with Ukraine.

January 2020: Pompeo Admonishes NPR's Mary Louise Kelly

In January 2020, Pompeo abruptly ended an interview with Mary Louise Kelly of NPR's All Things Considered, and privately admonished her for asking questions regarding Ukraine during the interview.

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March 5, 2020: ICC Approves Investigation into US Crimes in Afghanistan

On March 5, 2020, the ICC initially approved an investigation into alleged US crimes in Afghanistan, but conditions included visa restrictions on Pompeo's instruction from the Department of State.

March 17, 2020: Pompeo Threatens ICC Staff Members

On March 17, 2020, Pompeo threatened two staff members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Phakiso Mochochoko and ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, for investigating Americans, intimating the US could act against them, other ICC personnel, and their families.

April 23, 2020: Claims Regarding COVID-19 Origin

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

September 2020: Resumption of "Madison Dinners" at Blair House

In September 2020, Pompeo resumed the taxpayer-funded "Madison dinners" at the Blair House, despite the controversy over them and concerns about public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Decline to Offer Consular Protection to Joshua Wong

In 2020, Pompeo declined to offer U.S. consular protection to Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong, despite appeals, due to concerns about potential retaliation from Beijing and broader U.S. interests.

January 12, 2021: Cancelled European Trip

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

January 20, 2021: Sanctions by China

On January 20, 2021, Pompeo and several other Trump administration officials were sanctioned by China for "seriously violated China's sovereignty".

April 2021: Release of Review Report on Pompeo's Ethics Violations

In April 2021, a review report was released after Trump fired State Department inspector general Steve Linick in May 2020. The report found over 100 instances of misconduct where Pompeo requested State Department staff to perform personal errands for him and his wife.

2021: CREW Reveals Cost of "Madison Dinners"

In 2021, records obtained by CREW through a FOIA lawsuit revealed that the "Madison dinners" had cost almost $65,000, including more than $10,000 for custom-engraved, Chinese-made pens given as gifts to attendees. The funds came from a special appropriation fund for emergencies in the diplomatic service called the K Fund.

2021: Regret over North Korea Progress

In a 2021 interview with a conservative podcast, Mike Pompeo said that "I regret that we didn't make more progress" on North Korea.

August 2022: Assassination Plot by Iran

In August 2022 it emerged that Pompeo was the target of an assassination plot by Iran.

2022: Lawsuit Filed Against Pompeo Over Assange Surveillance

In 2022, a lawsuit was initiated against Pompeo and others, alleging they illegally subjected Julian Assange and his guests to surveillance.

January 2024: Pompeo's Testimony on Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong

During a January 2024 House Select Committee hearing, Pompeo addressed the issue of offering U.S. consular protection to Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong in 2020, stating that the U.S. could have done more to protect Wong and other activists.