Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has landed a spot as a distinguished fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute – providing him an off...
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has landed a spot as a distinguished fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute – providing him an office and policy platform should he decide to launch a run for the White House in 2024.
The potential Republican field was thrown into disarray following the Jan. 6 MAGA riot in the Capitol – with President Donald Trump not ruling out a return to power, even as the Senate prepares to try him on 'incitement of insurrection.'
Pompeo served as Trump's CIA Director and Secretary of State after serving as a conservative House member from Kansas. He left on far better terms with Trump than other cabinet secretaries, some of whom were fired or pushed out.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has landed a role as a distinguished fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute as a he contemplates a potential run for president in 2024
His tenure at the State Department was controversial. After coming in calling for a return of 'swagger,' he left amid internal investigations of pushing out an inspector general, probes of a string of ornate parties at the State Department, and allegations an aide performed personal work like walking his dog.
Should he decide to run in 2024, and if Trump stays out of the race, Pompeo can seek support from the vast majority of Republicans who still express support for the president.
It will be hard for Pompeo to distance himself from Trump should the former president become a liability.
Days before he left office, he had to scrap a trip to Europe. He had sought to meet the foreign minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, who was appalled by the riots and called Trump a 'criminal' and a 'political pyromaniac.'
'Secretary Pompeo's exemplary record of public service and his commitment to the values underpinning our mission makes this an exciting opportunity for collaboration,' said Sarah May Stern, chair of Hudson Institute's Board of Trustees. 'It's a great privilege to welcome him to Hudson.'
On January 21, after Democrat Joe Biden was inaugurated, Pompeo tweeted: '1,384 days' – signaling he was not letting go of politics.
'I am pleased to be joining Hudson Institute and look forward to contributing to its mission of promoting American leadership and global engagement,' Pompeo said in a statement.
The 2024 field could be scrambled by the MAGA mob that ransacked the Capitol
Pompeo served as CIA Director and Secretary of State under President Trump
Secretary of State Tony Blinken was sworn in Wednesday as Pompeo's successor
Also returning to the conservative think tank is former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who quit the cabinet in her final days in office after the MAGA riot. Her husband, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said Trump had 'provoked' the Capitol riot.
The Hudson Institute has also hosted Republican strategist Jon Lerner, who has advised former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, another potential 2024 contender with close Trump ties.
Other fellows have included Doug Feith, considered a neoconservative backer of the Iraq War under the George W. Bush administration, Tim Morrison, a former Trump national security advisor who testified during impeachment, and former Trump national security advisor H.R. McMaster.
Pompeo, despite repeated statements calling on foreign powers to accept opposition challenges, took about nine weeks to fully acknowledge Joe Biden's victory.
On November 10, three days after Biden declared victory, he commented about 'a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.'
Democrats have said Trump's own refusal to acknowledge the defeat gave false hope to his supporters and helped encourage the riots.
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