The U.S. Senate on Thursday easily confirmed Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, elevating the former CIA director as the nation’s top diplomat amid a slew of foreign policy challenges.
In a 57-42 vote, which included several moderate Democrats, Senate lawmakers moved quickly to confirm Pompeo, aware that the new secretary of state faces a number of serious foreign policy challenges, including whether or not to remain in the Iran nuclear deal, tensions with Russia and the Syrian civil war as well as North Korea.
While his confirmation on Thursday went smoothly, there was uncertainty earlier during his confirmation process within the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, over objects by Democrats. However, a last minute switch to a “yes” vote by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) staved off an embarrassing rejection by the powerful committee. Several American Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, openly opposed Pompeo’s nomination over his views regarding Muslims. The ADL claimed Pompeo had “demonstrated a consistent pattern of casting doubt in the minds of constituents about the trustworthiness of their Muslim neighbors.”
The American Jewish Committee congratulated Pompeo on his confirmation.
“As longtime admirers and supporters of the State Department’s defense of American interests and values across the globe, and as proud civil society partners in that vital mission, AJC congratulates you on your swearing-in as Secretary of State,” AJC CEO David Harris said.
Among its priorities from denying Iran’s nuclear ambitions and protecting Israel, the organization urged Pompeo to appoint a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.
Almost immediately after his confirmation, Pompeo was set to fly to Brussels to attend a NATO foreign ministers trip. The new top diplomat will also visit several other countries next week, including Israel, a senior Israeli official told Israel’s Channel 10 news station on Thursday. It was also rumored in recent days that Pompeo could also lead a delegation to Israel next month to open the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.