Mike Pompeo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Pompeo
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Official portrait, 2018
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| 70th United States Secretary of State | |
| In office April 26, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | John Sullivan Stephen Biegun |
| Preceded by | Rex Tillerson |
| Succeeded by | Antony Blinken |
| 6th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency | |
| In office January 23, 2017 – April 26, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Gina Haspel |
| Preceded by | John Brennan |
| Succeeded by | Gina Haspel |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 4th district |
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| In office January 3, 2011 – January 23, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Todd Tiahrt |
| Succeeded by | Ron Estes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Richard Pompeo
December 30, 1963 Orange, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Leslie Libert
(m. 1986; div. 1997)Susan Justice Mostrous
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 1 |
| Residences | Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1986–1991 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |
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Michael Richard Pompeo (born December 30, 1963) is an American politician. He served in the government of Donald Trump. From 2017 to 2018, he was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Then, from 2018 to 2021, he was the United States Secretary of State. Before that, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1986, Pompeo served in the United States Army. He then went to Harvard Law School. He worked as a lawyer and later started businesses in the aerospace and oil industries. In 2010, Pompeo was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas.
Pompeo was once a critic of Donald Trump. However, he became a strong supporter after Trump became the Republican candidate in 2016. Trump later appointed him to lead the CIA and then to be Secretary of State.
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Early Life and Education
Pompeo was born in Orange, California. His parents were Dorothy and Wayne Pompeo. His family came from Italy in the early 1900s. In 1982, he finished high school at Los Amigos High School. He played basketball there.
In 1986, Pompeo graduated at the top of his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He studied engineering management. From 1986 to 1991, he served in the U.S. Army. He was an armor officer in West Germany. He left the Army as a captain.
In 1994, Pompeo earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. He was an editor for two law journals there.
Early Career and Business Ventures
After law school, Pompeo worked as a lawyer in Washington. In 1996, he moved to Wichita, Kansas. There, he and some friends from West Point bought several aircraft-parts companies. They named their new company Thayer Aerospace.
In 2006, Pompeo sold his share of the company. It was then called Nex-Tech Aerospace. After that, he became president of Sentry International. This company made oilfield equipment. It also worked with Koch Industries.
When Pompeo became the head of the CIA in 2017, he hired his former business partner, Brian Bulatao. Bulatao became the agency's chief operating officer.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2017)
Becoming a Representative
Mike Pompeo represented Kansas's 4th congressional district. He served from 2011 until January 2017. That's when he was appointed to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
In the 2010 election, Pompeo won the Republican primary. He then won the general election against Democrat Raj Goyle. Pompeo received 59% of the votes. He also received donations from Koch Industries.
He won re-election in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Each time, he won by a large margin.
What He Did in Congress
Pompeo served on important committees in the House. These included the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He also served on the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. He worked on issues related to energy and consumer protection.
He was also part of the United States House Select Committee on Benghazi. This committee investigated an attack in Benghazi, Libya.
Leading the CIA (2017–2018)
On November 18, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate Pompeo. Pompeo was chosen to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Senate approved his nomination on January 23, 2017. He was sworn in on the same day.
In early 2017, Pompeo traveled to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He met with leaders there to discuss important policies. He also honored the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia with a special medal.
In August 2017, Pompeo took direct control of the Counterintelligence Mission Center. This department helped investigate suspicious links. These links were between Trump associates and Russian officials.
In 2018, Pompeo visited North Korea. He met with leader Kim Jong-un. They talked about a future meeting between Kim and President Trump. Pompeo often delivered the president's daily intelligence brief in person.
Serving as U.S. Secretary of State (2018–2021)
Becoming Secretary of State
President Trump announced on March 13, 2018, that he would nominate Pompeo. Pompeo was chosen to be the new United States Secretary of State. He would replace Rex Tillerson.
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The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to send his nomination to the full Senate. On April 26, 2018, the full Senate confirmed him. The vote was 57–42. Pompeo was sworn in on the same day. He promised to improve morale at the State Department.
Key Actions as Secretary of State
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Pompeo was a very loyal supporter of President Trump. He played a big part in Trump's meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. These meetings aimed to reduce North Korea's nuclear weapons. However, they did not fully achieve this goal.
In August 2018, Pompeo thanked Saudi Arabia for its help in Syria. He also discussed the situation in Yemen.
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In October 2018, Pompeo said that Israel was a model for the Middle East. He stated that relations between Israel and the U.S. were stronger than ever.
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In January 2019, Pompeo went on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East. He wanted to assure U.S. partners that America would continue to fight the Islamic State group. He also aimed to counter Iran's influence.
Pompeo announced that the U.S. recognized Juan Guaidó as the leader of Venezuela. He also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin. They discussed various global issues.
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Pompeo defended Turkey's actions in Syria. He said Turkey had a "legitimate security concern." In November 2019, Pompeo changed U.S. policy on Israeli settlements. He stated the U.S. no longer viewed them as illegal.
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Pompeo praised the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. This agreement helped normalize relations between the two countries.
End of His Term
After Joe Biden won the 2020 election, Pompeo spoke about the transition. He said there would be a "smooth transition."
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On January 8, Pompeo met with Antony Blinken. Blinken would become the next Secretary of State. Pompeo left the State Department on January 20, 2021.
After the Trump Administration (2021–Present)
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In January 2021, Pompeo joined the Hudson Institute. This is a research organization. In February 2021, he started a political action committee called CAVPAC.
Pompeo supported the Biden administration's plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan. He later distanced himself from the situation after the Taliban took control.
In March 2022, Pompeo visited Taiwan. He gave a speech there. He called for the United States to officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country.
In January 2023, Pompeo published his memoir. It was called Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love. He considered running for president in 2024 but decided not to.
In 2023, Pompeo joined the board of directors for Cyabra. This is an Israeli company that fights false information. In October 2023, he joined a law firm called Oberheiden, P.C. In February 2025, Pompeo will teach a course at Columbia University.
Political Views
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Pompeo opposed the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is a healthcare law. He also opposes same-sex marriage. He supported laws that would let states prevent same-sex couples from marrying.
Foreign Policy Views
In 2013, Pompeo said that Muslim leaders who do not speak out against terrorism are "potentially complicit." This comment was criticized by some groups. He has also supported adding the Muslim Brotherhood to a list of foreign terrorist organizations.
In 2017, Pompeo said he wanted to see a change in government in North Korea. He also said that North Korea's nuclear weapons were dangerous because of "the character who holds the control over them today."
In 2023, Pompeo stated that Israel has a historical claim to the Palestinian territories. He said this means the situation cannot be called an occupation.
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Views on Energy and Environment
Pompeo has expressed different views on climate change. In 2013, he said scientists have different opinions on whether the climate is warming or cooling. He believes that federal policy should focus on American families, not on environmental goals. He signed a pledge against a climate tax.
In 2015, Pompeo opposed rules for greenhouse gas emissions by the United States. He supported removing the federal list of greenhouse gas emissions. He voted against the Clean Power Plan.
In May 2019, Pompeo refused to sign a statement about protecting the Arctic. He said climate change was good for the Arctic. He believed melting ice would open new shipping routes. This would make it easier to drill for oil.
Personal Life
Pompeo married Leslie Libert in 1986, but they later divorced. In 2000, he married Susan Justice Mostrous. He adopted her son, Nicholas.
Pompeo is part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He has served as a church deacon and taught Sunday school. In 2014, he told a church group that Jesus Christ is "the only solution for our world."
In January 2022, Pompeo said he had lost over 90 pounds. He said he did this through exercise and diet changes.
Foreign Honors
Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon (2021)
Doctor Honoris Causa, University of Tirana (2022)
See also
In Spanish: Mike Pompeo para niños
- List of members of the American Legion
- List of people who have held multiple United States Cabinet-level positions
