Pompeo meets with Biden nominee for State as part of transition

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday met with President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the State Department, a day after President Trump said he would ensure a smooth transition of power.

Pompeo was reportedly expected to meet with Antony Blinken last month but the meeting was delayed when the secretary was put into quarantine after exposure to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.

Pompeo tweeted Friday that he met with Blinken “in order to facilitate an orderly transition, and to ensure American interests are protected abroad.”

“Our meeting was very productive, and we will continue to work together on behalf of America throughout the transition,” Pompeo added.

The meeting comes one day after Trump said in a recorded video message that he would ensure a smooth transition to the Biden administration after weeks of refusing to concede the election to Biden and calling to overturn the results.

His comments came more than 24 hours after a deadly mob attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, who succeeded in temporarily disrupting congressional certification of Biden’s election victory.

Trump has been widely condemned for inciting the riot after weeks of making unsubstantiated claims about a “rigged” election and widespread voter fraud.

Pompeo, one of Trump’s staunchest allies, previously derided reporters’ questions about the transfer of power by saying there would be a “smooth transition to a second Trump administration.”