By Tony O'Riley
Angry U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned bullying tactics being used against distinguished members of the Secretary Of State.
Pompeo accused House Democrats of trying to “bully” and “intimidate” State Department officials by giving them short notice for scheduled depositions about their involvement with President Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. Pompeo was reacting to letters from three House chairmen informing him of set dates for joint depositions of five State Department officials named in the whistle blower complaint about the Ukraine call.
Under pressure and in the face of the relentless attack being launched against the White House, Pompeo views the approach being taken as bullish and intimidating.
He said: “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.”
CONCERN
Pompeo expressed concern through an angry letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, stating that the committee had not given the officials adequate time to prepare. His letter read:
“I am concerned with aspects of your request, described more fully below, that can be understood only as an attempt to intimidate, bully, and treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State, including several career Foreign Service Officers,” Pompeo wrote.
RESPONSE
Pompeo said he would respond to a separate subpoena requesting documents in relation to the call by the deadline of Friday. Secretary Of State Pompeo was revealed to have been on the call between Mr. Trump and the Ukranian president, making his anger normal and expected. The pressure on the U.S government as the impeachment inquiry digs deep into the circumstances surrounding president Trump’s conduct with international leaders and the way he has used his public office to achieve political interests.