U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday from an "undisclosed location" in Jerusalem, in a move that breaks with long-standing precedence whereby officials from both parties refrained from using their office for partisan purposes.
Pompeo will speak to the partly virtual, partly in-person conference during an official trip to the Middle East that comes in the wake of the announced peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Jerusalem
(Photo: GPO)
Deputy Secretary of State under the Obama administration, Wendy Sherman, called Pompeo's move “unprecedented and wrong.”
In a post on her Twitter account Sherman said, “at a time when peace and security in Middle East is so tough, Jerusalem should not be a prop for the RNC, and [Mike Pompeo] should not be tarnishing the office of [Secretary of State]."
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Wendy Sherman on Twitter slamming Pompeo's speach to RNC from Jerusalem
(Photo: Twitter)
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel defended Pompeo's decision during an interview Sunday on CBS's Face the Nation, claiming all expenses incurred would be covered by the party, adding it is "appropriate" for Pompeo to highlight policies "that have made the lives of the American people better".
According to the McClatchy news organization, four teams of lawyers have reviewed the secretary's planned remarks to ensure there would be no violations of law.
“His lawyer, the State Department lawyers, RNC lawyers, White House lawyers have all worked on his appearance to make sure it is completely lawful and appropriate, including screening and approving all of his remarks,” a source told McClatchy.
The State Department said Pompeo will make his speech as a private citizen rather than a Secretary of State.
"No State Department resources will be used. Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Pompeo’s appearance. The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance,” a State Department official said.
Speaking from Jerusalem will likely appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump's evangelical voters.
On a campaign visit to Wisconsin earlier this month, the president said his decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem came in order to please his evangelical base.