Tag Archives: State Department

The New York Times reports: President Trump declared a diplomatic victory on Wednesday by announcing that North Korea had freed three American prisoners, removing a bitter and emotional obstacle ahead of a planned meeting between him and the young leader of the nuclear-armed nation. The release of the three prisoners, all American citizens of Korean descent, was in some ways …

Notoriously anti-LGBT Vice President Mike Pence this afternoon swore in homocon Richard Grenell as US ambassador to Germany as Grenell’s partner held the bible. Grenell’s history of misogynistic tweets, including attacks on Rachel Maddow’s appearance, had, in part, delayed his confirmation for months. Last week he was approved by the Senate in a 56-42 vote that fell largely along party …

Via Breitbart: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) had positioned himself as a champion of gay rights in his opposition to Mike Pompeo to become secretary of state, then on Thursday he voted against Richard Grenell, the Trump administration’s first prominent openly-gay nominee, for U.S. ambassador to Germany. Grenell’s nomination was confirmed by the Senate anyway, in a 56 to 42 vote, …

CNBC reports: President Donald Trump said Thursday that it would be a good idea to release the photographs of the meeting between then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders did just that on Thursday afternoon. “Mike Pompeo did go there, he wasn’t supposed to meet with Kim Jong Un, but …

The Washington Blade reports: The U.S. Senate confirmed Richard Grenell on Thursday as U.S. ambassador to Germany, making him the most high-profile openly gay appointee in the Trump administration. Grenell — who has faced Democratic opposition for months over mean tweets he made about the appearance of women and other comments downplaying the significance of Russia’s influence in the 2016 …

The Washington Post reports: The Senate confirmed Mike Pompeo as secretary of state on Thursday despite lingering objections from Democrats who’ve questioned his record of hawkish policy positions and past controversial statements about minority groups. The split vote represents the political scrutiny Pompeo is likely to encounter as he moves from the CIA to the State Department, where he’ll face …

Via Breitbart: Nine Democratic senators facing re-election in November in states President Donald Trump 18 won months ago remain silent on the nomination of Richard Grenell as U.S. Ambassador to Germany ahead of the final vote Thursday. Grenell, who is openly gay, would be, if confirmed, the highest ranking openly-gay U.S. government official ever to serve. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), …

The Wall Street Journal reports: A Senate committee endorsed Mike Pompeo to be the next secretary of state on Monday, sending him to the full Senate for his expected confirmation, after Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) reversed himself and withdrew his opposition. The panel confirmed Mr. Pompeo along party lines, avoiding an embarrassing defeat for President Donald Trump. All of …

The Daily Beast reports: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Monday completely reversed his position to support CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s nomination to become the next secretary of state. With Paul’s favorable vote, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will now bring Pompeo’s nomination to the Senate floor. A party-line vote is expected, and with three Democrats already pledging their support, Pompeo …

The Washington Examiner reports: President Trump criticized “obstructionist” members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Monday over opposition to CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s nomination to lead the State Department. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Democrats on the committee announced Sunday they will not support Pompeo for State secretary when they vote Monday evening. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could still …

“Look, at some point, Democrats have to decide whether they love this country more than they hate this president. And they have to decide that they want to put the safety and the security and the diplomacy of our country ahead of their own political games. And we’re very hopeful that they will. Mike Pompeo is a highly qualified individual, …

The Hill reports: CIA Director Mike Pompeo is officially short of the votes needed to clear the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next week. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said Friday that “after carful consideration” he will oppose Pompeo’s nomination to lead the State Department. “I remain concerned that Director Pompeo will not challenge the President in critical moments,” he said in …

The Washington Post reports: CIA Director Mike Pompeo made a top-secret visit to North Korea as an envoy for President Trump to meet with Kim Jong Un, and plans for a possible summit between the two leaders are underway, Trump confirmed Wednesday. The extraordinary meeting between one of Trump’s most trusted emissaries and the authoritarian head of a rogue state …

From the transcript of Sen. Tim Kaine’s interview this morning with Face The Nation host Margaret Brennan: BRENNAN: You mentioned Mike Pompeo. The CIA director was before your committee this week testifying as he sort of auditions for this role of secretary of state. You voted for him as CIA director. Will you vote for him to be the next secretary …

Sen. Cory Booker just grilled former CIA director and Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo on his anti-LGBT history, demanding to know of Pompeo still believes “gay sex is a perversion.” Pompeo sputtered and flailed, saying only that he has treated gay people with respect. Booker also demanded to know if Pompeo continues to oppose same-sex marriage. Pompeo grimaced and …

CNN reports: Mike Pompeo, President Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, will face an uphill climb to win Senate confirmation. He will testify today during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Trump selected the former CIA director to run the State Department after he fired former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The announcement to replace the top …

The Washington Post reports: The Trump administration on Monday ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian intelligence and diplomatic officers in New York and Washington and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle in retaliation of the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain. Twelve Russian diplomats at the United Nations in New York and 48 at the Russian …

The Washington Post reports: Rex Tillerson is officially done as secretary of state, but he got in what appeared to be one final dig at President Trump before heading out the door. At the every end of his farewell speech to the State Department on Thursday, Tillerson talked about the importance of maintaining your integrity and having respect for others. …

CNBC reports: Outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, whose firing was announced hours earlier, is slated to address reporters from the State Department briefing room on Tuesday afternoon. Tillerson’s ouster, first reported Tuesday morning, was quickly confirmed by President Donald Trump in a tweet. White House officials said Tillerson found out on Friday that he would be fired, according to …

The Hill reports: The State Department on Thursday called a recent military parade in North Korea a “dog and pony show,” even amid reports that the Trump administration is planning a military procession of its own. CNN’s Michelle Kosinski tweeted the swipe from a State Department official. The comment came after media reports surfaced that top Pentagon officials are in …