Exit strategy: Mike Pompeo risks political future by sticking too close to Donald Trump
- Ambassador Gordon Sondland on Wednesday cast the secretary of state as a key figure in Trump’s efforts to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden
- Pompeo has reportedly been considering running for the US Senate but may be considering whether his involvement in impeachment hurts his chance
While Trump is not expected to oust one of his staunchest supporters over the testimony, Pompeo has been widely reported to be mulling his exit to run for the US Senate from his home state of Kansas next year.
Two senior US officials said the testimony puts Pompeo in a more difficult position with both his department’s career staff and international counterparts that could hasten his departure. He has already faced internal criticism for his refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry and failure to defend career Foreign Service officers who have testified and have been targeted by smears.
“It’s hard to see him riding this out,” said one of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“He’s in an unsustainable position,” added a former senior US diplomat, who requested anonymity.
