Van Hollen Announces Opposition to Pompeo

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in opposition to the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as the Secretary of State:

“Mike Pompeo’s positions on countless issues stand in direct contrast to the very mission of the State Department. Instead of embracing diplomacy, he has a shoot first, ask questions later attitude on the use of force, and I’m concerned he will reinforce, not check, President Trump’s worst instincts. At a time when our nation faces so many challenges abroad – and so much instability coming from the Trump White House – that is the opposite of what we need for this critical position.

“From his positions on the Iran nuclear agreement, to refugees, to torture, he has shown he is fundamentally averse to diplomacy and lacks the skills needed for our chief diplomat. He has shown himself to be anti-equality and anti-Muslim, and quick to limit access to reproductive health care and deny the pressing issue of climate change. For all of these reasons, I cannot support his nomination as Secretary of State.”