Senate Dem hoping Pompeo now has ‘greater appreciation’ for balancing national security, civil rights

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said on Tuesday that he hoped former Rep. Mike Pompeo’s (R-Kan.) tenure as CIA director has given him “a greater appreciation for the balance between national security and civil rights.”

Cardin’s comments came hours after President Trump announced that he would nominate Pompeo to replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of State. Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voted against Pompeo’s confirmation as CIA chief last year after Trump tapped Pompeo for the job.

“I am hopeful that after his time at the CIA, Director Pompeo has a greater appreciation for the balance between national security and civil rights, as well as the important role of our national security public servants,” Cardin said. “I look forward to a robust hearing in the near future.”

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In nominating Pompeo to replace Tillerson at the State Department, Trump is angling to install a top diplomat more closely aligned with him on issues including the Iran nuclear deal. 

Pompeo has supported keeping the prison at Guantánamo Bay open and has echoed Trump’s rhetoric on “radical Islamic terrorism.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday shortly after Tillerson’s ouster, Trump praised Pompeo, saying that the two are “always on the same wavelength” and that he was “getting very close to having the Cabinet” he wants.

“I think Mike Pompeo will be a truly great secretary of State. I have total confidence in him,” Trump said. “As far as Rex Tillerson is concerned, I very much appreciate his commitment and his service and I wish him well. He’s a good man.”