Pompeo’s decision came after months of private deliberations with his family and public claims that his former boss would play no role in his decision to seek the presidency. In a cabinet known for drama and turnover, Pompeo earned a reputation as one of Trump’s most loyal foot soldiers. But in the interview with Fox, Pompeo said that he will “see how the primary plays out” before making a decision on any endorsement, and that he may not support Trump.
“I think the American people are thirsty for people making arguments, not just tweets,” Pompeo said when asked if he thinks anyone can beat Trump, who is currently leading in the polls.
The Republican primary field is already packed and includes Trump, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, fintech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Sen. Tim Scott, (RS.C.), who recently announced an exploratory committee. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence also said they plan to make announcements in the coming months.
The former Kansas congressman recently wrapped up a tour promoting his memoir, “Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love.” The book focused on his time as a foreign policy advocate for the Trump administration and his book tour was widely seen as a testing ground for a presidential bid. There were other tell-tale signs of Pompeo’s 2024 ambitions: He made frequent trips to states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to headline Republican events and rub shoulders with power players in early voting states.
In a sign of his ambitions to be a leading Republican voice on foreign affairs, Pompeo quietly led a delegation of business leaders and lawmakers on a trip to Kiev in early April to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pompeo said he would encourage Washington to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and long-range missiles. On the ground, he toured with leaders of Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical charity that provides aid to Ukraine. That visit was largely overshadowed by news of Trump’s appearance.
Pompeo, a retired Army captain with credentials from the US Military Academy at West Point and Harvard Law School, pushed for a stronger NATO and more military to deter Russia, even as Trump threatened to remove USA of the North Atlantic alliance. He was also one of the most vocal critics of the Chinese administration and its assaults on Taiwan.
Pompeo played a key role in the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain, and as an evangelical Christian he frequently touted the administration’s decision to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. . He backed Trump’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal and the administration’s subsequent pressure campaign on sanctions.
Pompeo has expressed regret at failing to make more progress with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, even after accompanying Trump to all three of his summits to meet with the hermit nation’s leader and negotiate North Korea’s denuclearization.
Despite his decision not to run, Pompeo said he would continue to play a role in Republican politics.
pompeo added in a statement:: “To those who are disappointed by this announcement, my apologies. And for those of you who are moved, know that I am 59 years old. Many more opportunities remain for which the timing could be more right as presidential leadership becomes even more necessary.”