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 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

2009: Pompeo signed the No Climate Tax pledge

In 2009, Pompeo signed the No Climate Tax pledge of Americans for Prosperity, indicating his opposition to climate-related taxes.

May 31, 2011: Pompeo votes to eliminate funding for United Nations Population Fund

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

2012: Pompeo calls for elimination of wind power production tax credits

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

2013: Pompeo visits Guantanamo Bay detention camp

After a 2013 visit to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, Pompeo commented on prisoners on hunger strike, stating, "It looked to me like a lot of them had put on weight."

2013: Pompeo speaks on climate change

In 2013, Pompeo expressed skepticism about climate change, stating the existence of differing scientific opinions on the matter and suggesting climate has been stable for the prior 16 years.

2013: Pompeo supports NSA surveillance programs

In 2013, Pompeo voiced his support for the surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA), describing their work as "good and important".

2013: Pompeo's remarks on Muslim leaders

In a 2013 speech, Pompeo stated that Muslim leaders who do not denounce acts of terrorism committed in the name of Islam are "potentially complicit" in the attacks, prompting criticism from the Council on American–Islamic Relations.

2013: Pompeo supports the US federal government shutdown

Pompeo supported the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, attributing blame to President Obama and justifying the shutdown as necessary to prevent a future "American financial collapse".

March 2014: Pompeo denounces Edward Snowden's telecast

In March 2014, Pompeo condemned the inclusion of a telecast by Edward Snowden at the South by Southwest conference, calling for its cancellation and predicting it would encourage "lawless behavior".

2014: Russian Annexation of Crimea

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, leading to sanctions. Pompeo later contrasted this with the U.S. recognition of Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, citing security concerns for Israel.

July 21, 2015: Pompeo alleges secret side agreements between Iran and IAEA

On July 21, 2015, Pompeo, along with Senator Tom Cotton, claimed the existence of secret side agreements between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concerning procedures for inspecting and verifying Iran's nuclear activities under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

2015: Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2015, Mike Pompeo advocated for the withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal with Iran.

2015: Pompeo opposes greenhouse gas regulations

In 2015, Pompeo opposed the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and advocated for the elimination of the United States federal register of greenhouse gas emissions. He also voted against the Clean Power Plan.

February 2016: Pompeo calls for Snowden's death sentence

In February 2016, Pompeo stated that Edward 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."

2016: Pompeo advocates for comprehensive surveillance database

In 2016, Pompeo advocated for Congress to enact legislation reinstating the collection of all metadata, integrating it with publicly accessible financial and lifestyle information into a searchable database, and removing legal obstacles to surveillance.

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 Vault 7 Publication

In March 2017, WikiLeaks began publishing the Vault 7 documents, which detailed the CIA's electronic surveillance and cyber warfare activities.

April 2017: Pompeo calls WikiLeaks a non-state hostile intelligence service

In an April 2017 speech, Pompeo referred to WikiLeaks as "a non-state hostile intelligence service" and labeled Julian Assange a "narcissist" and "a fraud—a coward hiding behind a screen".

August 2017: Took Direct Command of Counterintelligence Mission Center

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

September 2017: Sought Authority for Covert Drone Strikes

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

2017: Pompeo works to undermine Iran nuclear deal

In 2017, Pompeo actively worked to undermine the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear agreement with Iran, characterizing it as a "disastrous deal with the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism" and suggesting a military solution to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities.

July 2018: Raised Issue of Xinjiang Internment Camps

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

September 2018: Pompeo backs continued US military support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen

In September 2018, Pompeo supported continued U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, potentially jeopardizing $2 billion in weapons sales to America's Gulf allies.

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.

October 10, 2018: Stated Israel is Everything the U.S. Wants the Middle East to Look Like

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 the humanitarian crisis in Yemen

In November 2018, Pompeo attributed the humanitarian crisis in Yemen to Iran's actions, while highlighting Saudi Arabia's humanitarian relief efforts in the region.

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.

March 2019: Pompeo-Giuliani Communications

In late March 2019, Pompeo and Rudy Giuliani exchanged emails and phone calls before Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was recalled from Ukraine. Giuliani later admitted to speaking with Pompeo to relay information he had gathered during his Ukrainian research, and provided him memos of his interviews with former Ukrainian prosecutors.

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: 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.

May 2019: Pompeo acts against Arctic environmental protection

In May 2019, Pompeo opposed environmental protection at the Arctic Council, refusing to sign a joint statement unless all mentions of climate change were removed and asserting that climate change could be beneficial for the Arctic.

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 2019: Promotion of Pompeo's Speech "On Being a Christian Leader"

In October 2019, the State Department promoted a speech by Pompeo, "On Being a Christian Leader", delivered to the American Association of Christian Counselors. This promotion sparked criticism for potentially violating the separation of church and state. Pompeo also created the Commission on Unalienable Rights and a faith-based employee affinity group.

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.

October 23, 2019: Freedom of Information Act Request

On October 23, 2019, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by American Oversight led a federal judge to order the State Department to release Ukraine-related records within 30 days, 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 views Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as a violation of international law, breaking with decades of U.S. policy.

November 20, 2019: Sondland's Public Testimony

On November 20, 2019, Gordon Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union, testified that Rick Perry, Kurt Volker, and he stayed in touch with Rudy Giuliani regarding President Trump's expectation that Ukraine's President Zelenskyy would make a public statement committing to investigate corruption issues. Sondland noted that Pompeo was kept informed of these activities, and as late as September 24, Pompeo was still directing Volker to speak with Giuliani.

November 26, 2019: Ukraine Interference Conspiracy Theory

On November 26, 2019, Pompeo appeared to grant legitimacy to a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine, rather than or in addition to Russia, was behind interference in the 2016 United States elections. Pompeo said that any information indicating that any country has interfered with American elections should be investigated.

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" regarding a "terrorist threat to their south." He denied that the United States had given a "green light" for Turkey to attack the Kurds.

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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January 2020: Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

In January 2020, the Trump administration approved a drone strike that assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Pompeo was reportedly among the most hawkish advisors during the decision meeting. Pompeo asserted the attack disrupted an "imminent attack" by Soleimani operatives.

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.

May 2020: Firing of Inspector General Linick

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

June 2020: Linick's Testimony

In June 2020, Steve Linick testified that Brian Bulatao, a senior State Department appointee and Pompeo ally, attempted to improperly pressure him into halting the investigation into the propriety of the arms sale.

August 2020: OIG Report on Arms Sales and Akard's Resignation

In August 2020, Stephen Akard resigned as acting IG. The OIG released a report that Pompeo did not violate any procedures but also determined that the State Department had failed to fully consider the humanitarian impact of the arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

August 25, 2020: Speech 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. The speech broke precedent and was made against the advice of the State Department's senior legal advisers.

September 2020: Pompeo accuses China of fomenting racial unrest

In September 2020, Pompeo accused the Chinese government of attempting to incite racial unrest within the United States.

September 2020: Pompeo enacts sanctions against ICC officials

In September 2020, Pompeo implemented sanctions against the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor and other officials, maintaining a non-cooperative stance towards the court.

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.

November 10, 2020: Response to Election Results

On November 10, 2020, after Joe Biden won the 2020 United States presidential election and Trump refused to concede while making false claims of fraud, Pompeo responded to a question about a smooth transition to the Biden administration by stating, "There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration."

December 2020: Controversial Holiday Parties

During December 2020, Pompeo hosted large indoor holiday parties that violated public health guidance and Washington D.C.'s restrictions on sizable indoor gatherings during a spike in COVID-19 cases. Many invitees rejected invitations, and the final party was canceled after Pompeo came into contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.

2020: Supported Efforts to Overturn 2020 Election

In 2020, Mike Pompeo supported Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

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.

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.

November 2021: Office of Special Counsel Report on Hatch Act Violation

In November 2021, the Office of the Special Counsel released a report concluding that Pompeo violated the Hatch Act by giving a speech at the Republican National Convention. The office found that Pompeo had known of the Hatch Act's restrictions before giving the speech.

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.

February 2022: Pompeo praises Vladimir Putin before Russia invaded Ukraine

In February 2022, right before Russia invaded Ukraine, Pompeo gave an interview in which he praised Russian president Vladimir Putin. Russian state television aired the interview.

June 2022: Pompeo describes Russian invasion of Ukraine as "planned genocide"

During a speech at the Hudson Institute in June 2022, Pompeo characterized the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a "planned genocide" aimed at establishing a "new Russian Empire".

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.

2023: Pompeo claims Israel has a biblical claim to Palestinian territories

During a podcast interview in 2023, Pompeo asserted that Israel has a biblical claim to the Palestinian territories, dismissing the situation as an occupation and referring to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas as a "known terrorist".

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.

2024: Pompeo's Book and Presumed Presidential Candidacy

In 2024, Pompeo's book, Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, was released amid speculations of his candidacy in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. In the book, Pompeo denigrated Jamal Khashoggi, the assassination victim, as an "activist" with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.