Pompeo Vows to Block Congressional Efforts to ‘Bully’ State Dept to Testify on Ukraine

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the House Foreign Affairs Committee is trying to bully State Department employees and career foreign service officers. Pompeo, who has recently become embroiled in the Ukraine whistleblower scandal, took to Twitter to air his complaints.

“I’m concerned with aspects of the Committee’s request that can be understood only as an attempt to intimidate, bully, & treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State, including several career FSOs,” Pompeo wrote.

He attached a two-page letter to Congressman Elliot Engel, the Democratic chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Engel has called several State Department employees to testify amid the unfolding impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump and Ukraine.

I’m concerned with aspects of the Committee’s request that can be understood only as an attempt to intimidate, bully, & treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State, including several career FSOs. pic.twitter.com/QRtMaXlhQM

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 1, 2019

“Let me be clear: I will not tolerate such tactics, and I will use all means at my disposal to prevent and expose any attempts to intimidate the dedicated professionals whom I am proud to lead and serve alongside at the Department of State,” Pompeo said.

In his letter, Pompeo also said that the Committee has given inadequate time to prepare and he appeared to question the Committee’s power to call witnesses. The letter, which was clearly aimed at Democrats who control the Foreign Affairs Committee, urged restraint.