Sen. Warner on the nomination of Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be the next Secretary of State.

“I have had a productive working relationship with Mike Pompeo, and I believe that he has been an effective Director of the CIA. But I expect America’s top diplomat to be a forceful advocate for American values around the world – values like freedom, diversity, equality, and tolerance – and I was disappointed that Director Pompeo did not take the opportunity offered during the confirmation process to repudiate some of the extreme views he expressed during his time in Congress. While I will oppose his nomination, it is my fervent hope that as Secretary of State, Mr. Pompeo will stand up in defense of those values that have long made our country a beacon of hope and freedom for people all around the world. If he does, he can count on my assistance and support.”