WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate confirmation isn’t expected to go as smoothly for President Donald Trump’s new selections for secretary of state and CIA director as they did last year.
Senate Democrats — and some top Republicans — are slow-walking the process amid fresh questions over the Trump administration’s stance toward Russia and the CIA’s dark history of torture.
Trump’s firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson touched off a confirmation battle that will play out ahead of midterm elections, which determine party control of Congress.
Trump’s pick to replace Tillerson, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, is expected to be asked about his loyalty to Trump and his approach toward Russia.
And Trump’s choice to replace Pompeo at the CIA, Gina Haspel, is likely to be asked about her role in the CIA’s interrogation program.
What a breakthrough—first woman CIA head a torturer. Walk this one REAL slow, guys.
Question one: as a Deputy Director of the CIA, can you prove that you are not part of the Deep State?
Question two: if you are not a part of the Deep State, are your current subordinates incompetent or part of the Deep State?
I think the Confirmation Process for Pompeo should include Senate demands to know Donald Trump’s exact reasons for firing Tillerson. Tillerson was in Africa last week, cleaning up after President Dotard’s “Shithole Countries” embarrassment and insult to those countries. By all appearances, and by the firing of the State Department Official who confirmed that Tillerson had learned only yesterday AM of his firing, Trump fired Tillerson over his comments blaming Russia for the nerve agent attack on British civilians. So, there needs to be accountability and oversight on the decision to fire Tillerson.
Secondly, the Senate needs to let Trump know this is not his game show and they will not be rushing to confirm replacements for his convenience.
Anyway, a president can’t really make a legitimate choice if he’s in his last year of office. Maybe we should wait until November to see if impeachment is on the table, before we rush to judgement here.
ETA: Lol.
Ron Wyden D-OR has something to say about Pompeo and Haspel.