Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R-KS) has been having more than his share of scandal lately, and in the Trump Administration that’s quite an achievement. Frida Ghitis, a political columnist, has a useful summary, if from a lefty point of view, and in conclusion:
One of the most distinctive and harmful traits of the Trump administration is its disdain for ethics and integrity in government. But another, is its pattern of leaving political appointees stained, their reputation in tatters, a prospect that should worry Pompeo.
And might he be gone soon? Rather than speculate, I’ll indulge in what I wish was a flight of fancy, but is entirely possible in these surreal times.
With the exit of Mike Pompeo from the State Department, President Trump has broken with his usual habit of leaving the political class suspended in anticipation awaiting a nomination to a Cabinet post by sending a nomination immediately, in fact within moments of Pompeo’s announcement of his resignation, to the Senate.
Secretary of State nominee Sergey Kislyak.
The name? Sergey Kislyak.
Observers of the political scene may remember Kislyak, then Ambassador to the United States, was the member of the Russian diplomatic corp to whom soon-to-be National Security Advisor Michael Flynn spoke secretly. Flynn was later forced from his position, arrested, and plead guilty, twice, to lying to the FBI. Later, he tried to change his plea, and that controversy is ongoing.
The nomination of a foreign national for a Cabinet position is unheard of in American history, and it is almost certainly illegal for a foreign national to hold such a position, but President Trump has indicated that he’ll seek a waiver from the Senate, and is confident it’ll be issued.
“I met Sergey many years ago during my business travels, and he has always impressed me as a man of efficiency and nuance, a man to whom I feel a connection,” the President said at a brief press conference. “He’ll be one of the greatest Secretary of States, uh, Secretarys, uh, holders of that position, even better than the amazing Mike Pompeo, and America should be proud to have him.” The President took no questions as he hurried from the lectern.
Senator Mitch “Moscow” McConnell (R-KY), current Senate Majority Leader, indicated he had his caucus firmly in hand and anticipated confirmation of Kislyak will proceed with few, if any, substantive objections.
Mr. Kislyak currently holds the position of the Senator from Mordovia in Russia. It’s unclear as to whether he’ll continue in that position or resign from it, should the Senate – the American Senate – confirm his nomination. [Fox News]
