SoS Mike Pompeo

Mike Pompeo, former representative (R-KS), most recently Director of the CIA, was confirmed as the 70th U.S. Secretary of State on April 26 by a 57–42 Senate vote.

Pompeo succeeds former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson in the position after President Donald Trump dismissed Tillerson via Twitter on March 13, concurrently announcing his nomination of Pompeo.

Five Democratic Senators facing tough 2018 re-elections in states won by the president — Joe Donnelly (IN), Heidi Heitkamp (ND), Joe Manchin (WV), Claire McCaskill (WV) and Bill Nelson (FL) — voted ‘yes’ on Pompeo’s confirmation. Recently elected Alabama Democrat Doug Jones also voted in favor.

Prior to his confirmation, Pompeo had been working behind the scenes to advance the June Singapore summit between Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump nominated Deputy Director of the CIA Gina Haspel to succeed Pompeo.