Mike Pompeo

Mike Pompeo
Official portrait, 2018
Mike Pompeo
Born	Michael Richard Pompeo 30 12, 1963
Birthplace	Orange, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney, diplomat, former U.S. Army officer
Title	Senior Executive Fellow, Liberty University Center for Law & Government
Known for	70th United States Secretary of State, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Education	United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (JD)
Children	1

Michael Richard Pompeo (born December 30, 1963) is an American politician, attorney, diplomat, and former United States Army officer who served as the 70th United States Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021 and as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018, both under President Donald Trump. Before entering the executive branch, Pompeo represented Kansas's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Harvard Law School, Pompeo served as an Army officer before pursuing careers in law and business in Kansas. His tenure as Secretary of State was defined by a confrontational posture toward China and Iran, the relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the brokering of the Abraham Accords, and close alignment with President Trump's foreign policy objectives. After leaving government in January 2021, Pompeo has remained active in public commentary on foreign affairs, serving as a fellow at the Hudson Institute, a professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, and a senior executive fellow at Liberty University's Center for Law and Government.

Early Life

Michael Richard Pompeo was born on December 30, 1963, in Orange, California. He grew up in the southern California community before pursuing a military education and career. Pompeo attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated first in his class in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Following his graduation from West Point, Pompeo was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, where he served from 1986 to 1991, attaining the rank of Captain. His military service included duty as a cavalry officer patrolling the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall. After completing his obligatory five-year service commitment, Pompeo left the Army and pursued legal education.

Education

Pompeo's educational background includes two prestigious institutions. He graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After completing his military service, Pompeo enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. His dual background in military affairs and law would prove foundational to his subsequent careers in business, politics, and diplomacy.

Career

Legal and Business Career

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Pompeo worked as an attorney. He subsequently transitioned to the business world, becoming an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield equipment industries in Kansas. These business ventures established him in the Wichita, Kansas, area and provided the foundation for his entry into politics.

United States House of Representatives (2011–2017)

Pompeo was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2010, winning the seat representing Kansas's 4th congressional district, which encompasses the Wichita metropolitan area. He succeeded Republican Todd Tiahrt and took office on January 3, 2011. He served three full terms in Congress before his appointment to the CIA in January 2017, at which point he was succeeded by Ron Estes.

During his time in Congress, Pompeo established himself as a conservative Republican with particular interests in national security, intelligence, and energy policy. He served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, positions that informed his later roles in the executive branch.

National Security and Surveillance

Pompeo was a vocal defender of the National Security Agency's (NSA) surveillance programs. Following the revelations by Edward Snowden regarding NSA mass surveillance activities, Pompeo described the NSA as "doing important work" and argued for the continuation of robust intelligence-gathering capabilities. He characterized Snowden as a "traitor" who deserved the death penalty for his disclosure of classified information.

In January 2016, Pompeo co-authored an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal calling for a "rigorous national debate about surveillance," advocating for expanded government surveillance authorities in the wake of terrorist threats.

Domestic Policy

On domestic issues, Pompeo took conservative positions on healthcare and fiscal policy. He was a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare), writing in 2013 that the law was flawed and should be opposed. During the 2013 government shutdown, Pompeo maintained that the shutdown was driven by "substantial" policy disagreements rather than political gamesmanship.

On energy policy, Pompeo opposed the extension of the wind energy production tax credit, a position that placed him at odds with some members of his own party from wind-energy-producing states. He signed the "No Climate Tax Pledge," committing to oppose legislation relating to climate change that would increase government revenue.

Pompeo also drew attention from liberal groups and organizations for various policy positions early in his tenure. The Washington Post reported on opposition from liberal organizations to some of his positions shortly after he entered Congress.

Guantanamo Bay and Detention Policy

Pompeo opposed efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, aligning with other Republicans who argued that the facility remained necessary for national security purposes.

2016 Presidential Campaign

During the 2016 Republican primary season, Pompeo initially supported Marco Rubio's presidential campaign and served as a campaign surrogate. In that capacity, he criticized Donald Trump, calling him "authoritarian" and questioning his conservative credentials. However, after Trump secured the Republican nomination, Pompeo endorsed him for the general election.

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2017–2018)

Following Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election, the president-elect nominated Pompeo to serve as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Pompeo was confirmed by the United States Senate and took office on January 23, 2017, succeeding John Brennan. His deputy director was Gina Haspel, who would succeed him as CIA director.

During his tenure as CIA director, Pompeo delivered public remarks on intelligence matters and the agency's mission. In a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), he outlined his vision for the agency and its role in addressing global threats.

One of the notable actions during Pompeo's time as CIA director was his invocation of the state secrets privilege to prevent CIA officers from testifying in trials regarding the agency's enhanced interrogation techniques program. This decision drew criticism from civil liberties advocates and transparency proponents who argued that the public had a right to accountability regarding the interrogation program.

Pompeo served as CIA director for approximately fifteen months before being nominated to replace Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State in March 2018.

United States Secretary of State (2018–2021)

Pompeo was confirmed as the 70th United States Secretary of State and took office on April 26, 2018, succeeding Rex Tillerson. His deputies included John Sullivan and Stephen Biegun. He served in the position until the end of the first Trump administration on January 20, 2021, when he was succeeded by Antony Blinken.

U.S.–China Relations

As Secretary of State, Pompeo adopted a confrontational stance toward the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leadership. He repeatedly referred to Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping as a "dictator" and directed U.S. policy in opposition to China on multiple fronts, including the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the erosion of autonomy in Hong Kong, tensions over Taiwan, and territorial claims in the South China Sea. In the final days of the Trump administration, Pompeo officially declared China's treatment of the Uyghur population to constitute genocide. In response, the Chinese government sanctioned Pompeo immediately after he left office in January 2021.

Middle East Policy

Pompeo oversaw several significant shifts in U.S. Middle East policy. He supported and oversaw the relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that fulfilled a longstanding goal of the Israeli government but drew condemnation from Palestinians and much of the international community. He also oversaw the U.S. recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel, reversing decades of American policy that considered the territory occupied.

Pompeo played a central role in brokering the Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, as well as several other Arab states. The accords were presented as a significant diplomatic achievement, though critics noted that they did not address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Iran, Pompeo was a driving force behind the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, and the adoption of a "maximum pressure" campaign of economic sanctions against the Iranian government. He was also involved in the decision-making that led to the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, in January 2020. Pompeo has continued to comment on Iran policy in his post-government career, stating in February 2026 that "the Iranians have no interest in cutting a deal" with the Trump administration as new nuclear talks began. In a separate assessment, he stated that Iran was "weaker than at any point since 1979" and urged the West not to waste the opportunity.

Pompeo's handling of the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, proved controversial. He disputed the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in ordering the killing, a position that was criticized by members of Congress and human rights organizations who pointed to intelligence assessments linking the crown prince to the operation.

North Korea

Pompeo was the primary U.S. negotiator in diplomatic efforts to address North Korea's nuclear weapons program during the 2017–2018 North Korea crisis. He traveled to Pyongyang for secret meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and participated in the planning of the historic Singapore summit between Trump and Kim in June 2018. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, the effort to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons program was ultimately unsuccessful, and talks stalled after the Hanoi summit in February 2019.

Human Rights Policy

As Secretary of State, Pompeo established the Commission on Unalienable Rights, which issued a report declaring that U.S. human rights policy should prioritize religious liberty and property rights. The commission's framework was criticized by some human rights organizations for de-emphasizing reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights, while supporters argued it provided a more focused approach to human rights advocacy.

Syria and Other Issues

Pompeo oversaw a reduction of U.S. military forces in Syria, consistent with President Trump's stated goal of withdrawing from foreign military engagements. This decision drew criticism from some in the national security establishment who argued that it ceded influence to Russia and Iran in the Syrian conflict.

Alignment with President Trump

Throughout his tenure, Pompeo was characterized as among the most loyal members of Trump's Cabinet. He routinely aligned State Department activities with the president's political objectives, a practice that drew criticism from career diplomats and former officials who argued that it politicized the department. In 2020, Pompeo delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention while on an official trip to Jerusalem, a move that was found to be in violation of the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by federal employees. After the 2020 presidential election, Pompeo supported President Trump's efforts to challenge the election results, stating at one point that there would be "a smooth transition to a second Trump administration."

Post-Government Career

After leaving office in January 2021, Pompeo joined the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., as a distinguished fellow. He also became a contributor to Fox News. In the period following his departure from government, Pompeo underwent a notable physical transformation, losing approximately 90 pounds.

Pompeo was initially considered a potential candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but ultimately did not enter the race. In an Instagram post after his victory in the 2024 presidential election, President Trump publicly declared that he would not be inviting Pompeo to join his second administration.

In October 2025, Liberty University announced that Pompeo would serve as senior executive fellow leading the university's Center for Law and Government. He has also served as a professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where he participated in discussions on foreign policy, including a January 2026 webinar addressing the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Pompeo has continued to comment on foreign policy matters. In January 2026, he warned President Trump not to trust Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez, calling her a "bad actor." In February 2026, Pompeo traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he met with Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, to discuss developments related to the conflict in Ukraine.

Personal Life

Pompeo has one child. He resides in Kansas, where he established his business and political career. Pompeo has been open about his Christian faith, which has informed aspects of his public policy positions, particularly regarding religious liberty.

After leaving office, Pompeo attracted public attention for a significant weight loss of approximately 90 pounds, which he discussed publicly. His physical transformation was widely covered in media reports.

Pompeo has been the subject of security threats related to his government service, particularly stemming from his role in the diplomatic standoff with Iran and the assassination of Qasem Soleimani. Reports have indicated that the U.S. government provided him with a protective security detail after he left office due to ongoing threats from Iranian actors.

Recognition

Pompeo's tenure as Secretary of State was defined by several high-profile diplomatic initiatives. The Abraham Accords, which he helped broker, were cited by supporters as a significant achievement in Middle East diplomacy, normalizing relations between Israel and multiple Arab nations. His confrontational approach to China and the formal designation of the Uyghur situation as genocide were viewed by supporters as important stands on human rights.

Conversely, his tenure was marked by controversy regarding the politicization of the State Department, the Hatch Act violation at the Republican National Convention, and his handling of the Khashoggi assassination and its diplomatic fallout. His support for Trump's challenges to the 2020 election results also drew criticism from both Democratic and some Republican officials.

China sanctioned Pompeo immediately after he left office in January 2021, a move viewed as a reflection of the adversarial relationship he cultivated with Beijing during his time in government.

Legacy

Pompeo's career spans military service, law, business, and high-level government positions, making him one of the more multifaceted political figures in recent American politics. His trajectory from a West Point graduate and Army captain to CIA director and Secretary of State placed him at the center of U.S. national security and foreign policy during a period of significant geopolitical shifts.

His tenure as Secretary of State represented a departure from the post-World War II diplomatic consensus in several respects. The withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and the confrontational posture toward China marked shifts in U.S. foreign policy that continued to influence subsequent administrations. The Abraham Accords remained among the most frequently cited accomplishments of the first Trump administration's foreign policy.

Pompeo's exclusion from Trump's second administration, publicly announced by the president in November 2024, marked a notable shift in the political relationship between the two men. Despite his reputation as one of the most loyal members of Trump's first-term Cabinet, Pompeo was sidelined from the incoming administration.

In his post-government career, Pompeo has maintained a presence in foreign policy discourse through academic positions at Columbia University and Liberty University, think tank affiliations, media commentary, and international travel, including his February 2026 visit to Kyiv. His continued public commentary on Iran, Venezuela, Ukraine, and other foreign policy matters has kept him among the more prominent Republican voices on international affairs.