Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mike Pompeo
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Mike Pompeo.
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.
2009: Pompeo Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge
In 2009 Mike Pompeo signed the No Climate Tax pledge of Americans for Prosperity.
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.
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".
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: Russian annexation of Crimea
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, leading to sanctions. When questioned about the differing U.S. responses to Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights versus Russia's annexation of Crimea, Pompeo justified the former by citing "the reality on the ground and the security situation necessary for the protection of the Israeli state."
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".
2015: Withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran
In 2015, Mike Pompeo advocated for the withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal with Iran.
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.
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.
2016: Met with William E. Binney to discuss doubts of Russian interference
At Trump's request, Mike Pompeo met with former NSA official William E. Binney to discuss his doubts of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.
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: Giuliani mentions the 2016 election
In 2016, Rudy Giuliani specifically mentioned the 2016 election (including the DNC server) and Burisma as two topics of importance to the President regarding Ukraine.
2016: Ukraine Interference
On November 26, 2019, Pompeo commented on the possibility that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 election.
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.
March 2017: WikiLeaks Publishes Vault 7 Documents
In March 2017, WikiLeaks began publishing a series of documents known as Vault 7, detailing the CIA's electronic surveillance and cyber warfare activities and capabilities.
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.
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: 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.
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 2, 2018: Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi
On October 2, 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was assassinated. This event became central to controversies involving Saudi Arabia and US foreign policy, particularly concerning the alleged involvement of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
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.
November 16, 2018: CIA assessment leak and Pompeo's response
On November 16, 2018, a CIA assessment was leaked to the media, concluding with "high confidence" that Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018. Pompeo disputed the CIA's conclusion, stating there was no direct evidence linking the Crown Prince to the assassination, despite mounting pressure from lawmakers for action against Saudi Arabia.
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: 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.
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 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.
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.
July 25, 2019: Trump's call with Ukrainian President 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. Initially, Pompeo claimed limited knowledge of the call but was later confirmed to have been on the call himself.
October 1, 2019: Congressional chairmen condemn Pompeo's actions as obstruction of impeachment inquiry
On October 1, 2019, the chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the House Oversight Committee stated that any effort to intimidate witnesses or prevent them from talking with Congress, including State Department employees, is illegal and will constitute evidence of obstruction of the impeachment inquiry, in response to Pompeo's actions regarding subpoenas for documents related to Trump's communications with Ukraine.
October 2019: Promotion of Pompeo's speech "On Being a Christian Leader"
In October 2019, the State Department website promoted a speech by Pompeo titled "On Being a Christian Leader," delivered to the American Association of Christian Counselors. Pompeo's discussion of his faith and its application to his government work sparked criticism due to concerns about the separation of church and state.
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 2019: U.S. policy shift on Israeli settlements
In November 2019, Pompeo announced that the U.S. no longer considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank a violation of international law. This decision marked a break from decades of U.S. policy.
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.
2019: Pompeo defends Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria
In 2019, Pompeo defended the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, acknowledging Turkey's "legitimate security concern" regarding a "terrorist threat to their south." However, he denied that the United States had given Turkey a "green light" to attack the Kurds.
January 2020: Pompeo's interview with NPR and subsequent reprimand
In January 2020, Pompeo abruptly ended an interview with Mary Louise Kelly of NPR's All Things Considered. Following this, he called her to private quarters and admonished her for asking questions about Ukraine during the interview.
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.
March 5, 2020: ICC approves investigation into alleged US crimes in Afghanistan
On March 5, 2020, the ICC approved an investigation into alleged US crimes in Afghanistan, offering victims hope for justice. However, the decision included restrictions on the issuance of visas on Mike Pompeo's instructions from the Department of State.
March 17, 2020: Pompeo threatens ICC staff members
On March 17, 2020, Pompeo threatened staff members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Phakiso Mochochoko and ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, regarding their efforts to investigate Americans. Pompeo claimed they were putting Americans at risk and suggested the US could take action against them and their families.
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: Firing of State Department inspector general Steve Linick
In May 2020, Steve Linick, the State Department inspector general, was fired after beginning an investigation into alleged ethics violations by Pompeo and his wife. The investigation continued after his firing and found numerous instances of misconduct.
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 11, 2020: Trump issues Executive Order 13928 against the ICC
On June 11, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13928, Blocking Property of Certain Persons Associated With the International Criminal Court. This action impeded the ICC's investigations in Afghanistan and other locations, while the U.S. also opposed ICC scrutiny of potential Israeli crimes against Palestinians.
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.
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 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.
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.
September 2020: Sanctions against the ICC
In September 2020, Pompeo enacted sanctions against the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor and other officials, continuing a non-cooperative policy towards the court in The Hague.
September 2020: Resumption of "Madison dinners" at the Blair House
In September 2020, Pompeo resumed the "Madison dinners" at the Blair House, despite ongoing controversy and public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These taxpayer-funded dinners were attended by elites and raised ethical questions.
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: Supporting Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election
In 2020, Mike Pompeo supported Trump's efforts to overturn the presidential election.
2020: Pompeo declines to offer U.S. consular protection to Joshua Wong
In 2020, Pompeo declined to offer U.S. consular protection to Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong, despite appeals from Wong and several members of Congress, citing risks of retaliation from Beijing and broader U.S. interests in the region.
2020: Daniel Russel Argues Pompeo's China Policy Will Bolster Support for Xi Jinping
In 2020, the former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, Daniel Russel, argued that Pompeo's policy would have "the opposite effect, in bolstering support in China for Xi Jinping and deepening anger towards the United States".
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 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.
April 2021: Release of report on Pompeo's ethics violations
In April 2021, the review report on ethics violations by Pompeo was released, revealing over 100 instances where Pompeo requested State Department staff to perform personal errands for him and his wife. The inspector general found this behavior inconsistent with regulations.
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.
January 2022: Weight Loss Claim
In January 2022, Pompeo claimed in an interview with Fox News that he had lost over 90 lb (41 kg) in the prior six months through self-guided exercises and dietary changes. However, experts were skeptical of this claim.
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.
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.
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.
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".
January 2024: House Select Committee hearing on CCP and Joshua Wong
During a January 2024 House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party hearing titled "Authoritarian Alignment: The CCP's Support for America's Adversaries," Pompeo addressed his decision not to offer U.S. consular protection to Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong in 2020, stating, "I think the United States can always do more whether it's for him, Nathan Law, Jimmy Lai..."
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.
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.
2059: HR2059 11-HR2059
On May 31, 2011, Mike Pompeo voted for H.R.2059 11-HR2059, which eliminated funding for the United Nations Population Fund.
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