Doug Jones Supports Mike Pompeo For Secretary Of State

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Doug Jones released a statement announcing his support for CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be confirmed as Secretary of State. Jones met with Pompeo Thursday, April 19, and spoke with him again Tuesday by phone.

“Around the world, we face dangerous threats from terrorist organizations like ISIS and state actors like North Korea and Russia, who are actively working to undermine our democracy and hurt Americans,"Jones said. "Our nation needs a leader at the State Department who will put diplomacy first, defend our interests, strengthen our alliances, help keep our service members out of harm’s way, and work toward a more peaceful and stable world."

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Jones added, “After meeting with Director Pompeo, reviewing the record of his confirmation hearings, and speaking with others with expertise in national security and diplomacy, I believe he has the skills required to meet the weighty and urgent demands facing our State Department today. I have therefore decided to support his confirmation as Secretary of State. In his role at the CIA, Mr. Pompeo has demonstrated the ability to be an effective manager and operator on the world stage. I also believe his perspective having worked in the intelligence community will be valuable given the national security challenges he would face as Secretary on day one."

Jones said in his conversations with Pompeo, he did share his concerns about certain troubling statements he made as a member of Congress. "He gave me his word that, as Secretary of State, diplomacy would always be his first priority and he would ensure that our nation continues to be a leader in protecting human rights and the dignity of all people,"Jones said. "If he is confirmed, I will join my colleagues both in working with him to tackle the very serious challenges and threats we face as a nation, as well as to provide continued oversight of his and his department’s actions.”

Photo from Doug Jones

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