Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mike Pompeo

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Mike Pompeo.

Mike Pompeo is an American politician who held significant roles in the Trump administration. He was the Director of the CIA from 2017 to 2018 and then served as the 70th United States Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021. Prior to his executive branch service, 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

2014: Russia annexes Crimea

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, leading to sanctions. Pompeo later referenced this event when rejecting a double standard in recognizing Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights.

April 2018: Pompeo begins hosting "Madison dinners"

From April 2018, Pompeo hosted about two dozen taxpayer-funded "Madison dinners" at the Diplomatic Reception Rooms in the State Department's headquarters for hundreds of elite attendees, raising concerns that the dinners were for Pompeo to cultivate supporters and donors.

October 2, 2018: Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi

On October 2, 2018, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated. A CIA assessment later concluded with "high confidence" that Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered the assassination.

November 16, 2018: Pompeo disputes CIA assessment of Khashoggi's assassination

On November 16, 2018, Pompeo disputed a CIA assessment that concluded Saudi Arabia's crown prince ordered the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, stating there was no direct evidence linking the Crown Prince to the assassination, despite mounting pressure from lawmakers for action against Saudi Arabia.

July 25, 2019: Trump's call to Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy

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

October 1, 2019: House chairmen respond to Pompeo's refusal to provide documents

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 is illegal and will constitute evidence of obstruction of the impeachment inquiry, responding to Pompeo's refusal to provide documents regarding Trump's communications with the government of Ukraine.

October 2019: Pompeo's speech promotes Christianity

In October 2019, the State Department web site promoted a speech by Pompeo "On Being a Christian Leader", which he delivered to the American Association of Christian Counselors in his official government role. Pompeo's promotion of the speech was met with criticism from those who believed it was incompatible with separation of church and state.

October 22, 2019: William B. Taylor Jr. testifies before Congress

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.

November 2019: U.S. no longer views Israeli settlements as a violation of international law

In November 2019, Pompeo said the U.S. no longer views Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as a violation of international law, breaking with decades of U.S. policy.

2019: Pompeo defends Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria

In 2019, Pompeo defended the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, citing Turkey's "legitimate security concern" with a "terrorist threat to their south", while denying the U.S. had given Turkey a "green light" to attack the Kurds.

January 2020: Pompeo ends interview with Mary Louise Kelly and admonishes her for asking questions regarding Ukraine

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

January 2020: Trump administration approves drone strike that assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani

In January 2020, the Trump administration approved a drone strike that assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Pompeo asserted the attack was ordered by Trump to disrupt an "imminent attack" by Soleimani operatives.

March 5, 2020: ICC decision to approve an investigation into US crimes in Afghanistan

On March 5, 2020, the ICC gave a decision to approve an investigation into US crimes in Afghanistan for the victims, but conditions included restrictions on the issuance of visas on Mike 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, claiming that they were putting Americans at risk, and intimidated them that the US could act against them, as well as other ICC personnel and their families.

May 2020: Trump fires State Department inspector general, Steve Linick

In May 2020, Trump fired the State Department inspector general, Steve Linick, after it became known that Linick had begun an investigation into ethics violations by Pompeo and his wife.

September 2020: Pompeo resumes 'Madison dinners' at Blair House

In September 2020, Pompeo resumed the "Madison dinners" at the Blair House, despite the controversy over them and concerns about public health, after having temporarily suspended them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Pompeo declines to offer U.S. consular protection to Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong

In 2020, Pompeo declined to offer U.S. consular protection to Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong, despite appeals, citing potential retaliation from Beijing and compromise of U.S. interests.

April 2, 2021: Biden administration reverses sanctions

On April 2, 2021, the Biden administration reversed sanctions that had been put in place.

April 2021: Review report released after firing of State Department inspector general

In April 2021, the review report was released after Steve Linick's firing, revealing more than 100 instances of misconduct where Pompeo requested that State Department staff perform personal errands for him and his wife.

2021: CREW reveals cost of Madison dinners

In 2021, records obtained by CREW 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 the attendees.

January 2022: Weight Loss Claims and Skepticism

In January 2022, Mike Pompeo claimed in an interview with Fox News to have lost over 90 lb (41 kg) in six months through diet and exercise, a claim that was met with skepticism due to his age and past misleading statements.

January 2024: Pompeo addresses Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong case

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 spoke about whether he was "personally in favor of" Wong receiving refuge at the time, stating that he didn't want to talk about internal discussions.

2024: Pompeo promotes his book in presumed presidential candidacy

In 2024, in an effort to promote his presumed candidacy in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Pompeo's book reiterated that the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi was of little international consequence.