Sen. King ‘not yet’ ready to vote for Pompeo

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said Tuesday that he is “not yet” ready to support CIA Director Mike Pompeo to become President Trump’s new secretary of State.

“Not yet. I am legitimately undecided, Chris. And I met with him,” King told CNN’s “New Day.” “I went to his hearing the other day at Foreign Relations even though I’m not on the committee.” 

{mosads}King does not sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Pompeo could get an unfavorable recommendation.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has said he will vote against Pompeo. If all of the panel’s Democrats also vote against him, he would not get a majority vote.

Pompeo could still get a majority vote on the floor, however, since a number of centrist Democrats — as well as King — who are not members of Foreign Relations could back his nomination.

King, who caucuses with the Democrats, pointed out that he voted for Pompeo during his confirmation to become CIA director, adding that he believes Pompeo has done a “good job” in that role.

But the senator argued there is a difference between the two positions and expressed concerns with Pompeo taking the reins at the State Department because it’s a job focused on policy.

“Secretary of State’s a whole different deal. Number one, you’re speaking for the country around the world. Number two, you are a pure policy adviser to the president,” King said.

“I’m just not sure he’s the guy who will be a moderating influence on a president who seems to make important decisions rather quickly,” he later added.