Menendez rips characterization of Pompeo as ‘nation’s top diplomat’

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) lashed out on Wednesday at White House counselor Kellyanne Conway’s suggestion that President Trump already considers Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo the “nation’s chief diplomat.”

“This is not about the President’s perception. No matter how President Trump sees it, Dir. Mike Pompeo is NOT the nation’s chief diplomat, as of today,” tweeted Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

This is not about the President’s perception. No matter how President Trump sees it, Dir. Mike Pompeo is NOT the nation’s chief diplomat, as of today. Not according to Article II, section 2 of the Constitution. The Senate must confirm a cabinet official. #AdviseAndConsent https://t.co/5sYVN4vsL3

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) April 18, 2018

{mosads}

The tweet is in reference to Conway’s claim on a conference call on Wednesday that referenced a trip Pompeo, the current CIA director, took to North Korea representing the United States.

Pompeo was nominated for the top State Department post last month, after Trump abruptly dismissed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Menendez plans to vote against Pompeo’s confirmation, as does Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), which would leave the former Kansas congressman short of a favorable recommendation from the Foreign Relations panel.

The Washington Post first reported Tuesday that Pompeo had travelled to North Korea earlier this month, where he held a secret meeting with that country’s leader, Kim Jong Un. 

The meeting came as Trump prepares for a landmark meeting with Kim.