Democrat Sen. Shaheen praises Pompeo’s North Korea meeting
WASHINGTON — A senator who is opposed to CIA Director Mike Pompeo becoming Secretary of State told TMN she is pleased he met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ahead of a scheduled summit with President Donald Trump.
“I think it’s important, if those negotiations are going to be successful, to lay the groundwork, and so I think it was a positive sign that the administration is trying to do that,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said.
Shaheen sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which must approve Pompeo’s nomination before it heads to the floor. On Tuesday, Shaheen announced her opposition to Pompeo. Approval of his nomination is in considerable doubt as nearly all Democrats on the committee have said they will oppose Pompeo, as has Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Paul declined to comment when asked about the North Korea meeting.
Senate Armed Services Committee member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said he is glad the U.S. engaged Pyongyang ahead of the summit but suggested Pompeo was not suited for that role.
“I welcome his preparing for the president’s meeting but it should be done by diplomats who have a background in North Korea and who are experienced in forming coalitions with our allies,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal said Pompeo “should inform Congress fully about the visit now that it has occurred.” Blumenthal said Pompeo should reveal “what was discussed and where it goes from here, if he is able to do so consistent with the president’s meeting requirements.”
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) said it is too early to assess the merits of the meeting.
“I suppose it depends on the nature of the discussion and I don’t know what that was,” he explained. “I was surprised to learn it, as I think most people were, but I think it’s too soon to judge.”
The Washington Post first reported Pompeo’s meeting with Kim on Tuesday. Trump confirmed the meeting in a Wednesday morning tweet.
The North Korean regime is considered of one the most oppressive governments in the world. Millions of its citizens are held captive in prison camps reminiscent of Soviet gulags. The regime has embarked upon an aggressive nuclear weapons program and has made threats against the U.S. and its allies.
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
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