Trump hails Pompeo in visit to State Department

President Trump on Wednesday paid his first visit to the State Department since taking office to laud his new secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who in turn vowed to protect American interests abroad.

Trump, Vice President Pence and roughly a dozen members of Trump’s Cabinet arrived at Foggy Bottom on Wednesday to take part in a celebratory ceremony for Pompeo, who was officially sworn-in last week before departing on a trip to Europe and the Middle East.

“I have no doubt that you will make America proud as our nation’s chief diplomat,” Trump said. “You’re an exceptional guy, a great friend and somebody that truly loves our country. We are really, really proud of you.”

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Wednesday marked Trump’s first trip to the State Department in his nearly 15 months in office. He was greeted with resounding applause as the nation’s diplomats and members of his Cabinet looked on.

“That’s more spirit than I’ve heard from the State Department in a long time,” Trump said as he stepped to the podium. “Many years. We can say many years, maybe decades.”

Trump proceeded to lavish praise on Pompeo, noting his academic credentials at West Point, his time spent serving in Congress and his most recent role as CIA director.

Pompeo takes the mantle at the State Department as the Trump administration faces a number of key decisions on foreign policy issues. Trump is set to decide whether to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in the next 10 days, and has set the stage for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The U.S., meanwhile, continues to maintain a presence in conflict zones like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, where the State Department announced yesterday U.S.-backed forces had launched a campaign to oust the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) from its final strongholds in the country.

Trump and Pompeo are said to be close, representing a noticeable departure from Trump’s icy relationship with ex-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The two men clashed on policy and matters of personality.

Pompeo on Wednesday acknowledged the “many threats” to American security and vowed to tackle them with “tough diplomacy” when needed.

“I will make sure America is always a respected and principled leader on the world stage,” Pompeo said.

Pompeo checked off a list of policies the Trump administration has taken, vowing he would see through the defeat of ISIS, establish fair trade practices with China and relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Pompeo called negotiations with North Korea and “unprecedented opportunity” to change the course of history. 

“One thing is certain: this administration will not repeated the mistakes of the past. Our eyes are wide open. It’s time to solve this once and for all,” Pompeo said Wednesday.

Pompeo met with Kim over Easter weekend during a secretive trip to the Korean Peninsula. Trump is expected to hold a summit with the North Korean leader in the coming weeks as the U.S. pushes for Pyongyang’s denuclearization.

Pompeo, who has said he wants to bring “swagger” back to the State Department, called on the agency’s diplomatic corps to do its part to carry out American interests.

While Tillerson’s tenure was marked by high-level departures, unfilled vacancies and depleted morale, Pompeo’s remarks were met with positivity and intermittent applause from his colleagues in the room.

“When I say we’re going to do this, I mean we,” Pompeo said. “This is a team effort here at the state department and the whole of the United States government.”  

“We need our men and women out on the front line executing American diplomacy with great vigor and energy, and to represent the finest nation in the history of civilization,” he continued. “We should be proud of that, and I’m counting on you all to help communicate in every corner of the world.”