Informal Communication

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Today, the Department of State transmitted its 2020 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom to the United States Congress.  This Annual Report provides a detailed and factual account of the status of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories and documents reports of violations and abuses committed by governments, non-state actors, and individuals.  The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those responsible for suc

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Via Teleconference

QUESTION:  I am joined now by the United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.  Mr. Secretary, welcome back to The Hugh Hewitt Show.

QUESTION:  Hugh, it’s great to be with you this morning.

QUESTION:  Thank you.  The Chinese Communist Party has a mouthpiece, the Global Times, which has a lead editorial today: China to respond to U.S. provocations in next 10

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Religious freedom is an unalienable right, and the bedrock upon which free societies are built and flourish. Today, the United States – a nation founded by those fleeing religious persecution, as the recent Commission on Unalienable Rights report noted – once again took action to defend those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.

The United States is designating Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajiki

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

QUESTION:  Secretary, thanks for joining us this afternoon.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  It is great to be with you.  Hope you’re doing well.

QUESTION:  I’m doing great.  I was just describing for the audience that the foreign policy of President Trump administered by you as Secretary of State was a break from both Republicans and from Democrats in the past, and was a brand new approach to the world which

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Ronald Reagan Institute

Washington, D.C.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Well, good morning, everyone.  And thanks, Roger.  Thanks to you also, Ben, and all the Reagan Foundation trustees, and the institute staff for making this event possible.  It’s really special to be here today.

I’m honored that you asked me to inaugurate this Center for Freedom and Democracy.

See if I can’t solve this feedback problem myself.

As we w

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Jakarta, Indonesia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MODERATOR:  Ladies and gentlemen, the joint press statement will now start.

FOREIGN MINISTER MARSUDI:  Your Excellency Secretary Pompeo, colleagues from the media, ladies and gentlemen.  Secretary Pompeo, dear Mike, welcome back to —

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Thank you very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER MARSUDI:  —

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Twenty-two years ago today, the United States enacted the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, reaffirming our commitment to promote and defend the fundamental right to religious freedom for all people everywhere.  Born of the vision of America’s founders, our government understood that an individual, irrespective of their religion or beliefs, should be free to organize their lives in accordance with their consciences.  Religious freedom and other themes

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Good morning, everyone.  Welcome.  Today I want to discuss a theme that deserves far more attention, and that is that America is a force for good in the world.

Last week the World Food Programme was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to fight hunger and improve conditions for peace around the world.

The WFP is run by Executive Director David Bea

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

I am pleased to announce the concurrent designation of Assistant Secretary Robert A. Destro of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor to serve as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

Consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act, Special Coordinator Destro will lead U.S. efforts to promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and l

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Virtual Remarks at the IRI Dinner and John S. McCain Freedom Award Ceremony

(As Prepared)

Good evening, IRI.

Dr. Twining, Senator Sullivan, thank you for those introductions. And thanks to the IRI board and staff for this honor. I’m truly humbled. I’m just sorry that we couldn’t physically be together tonight.

I have the award here with me. I’m looking forward to showing it off to 1998’s honoree, my fellow Kansan, Bob Dole. I’m sure

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

In 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council due to its well-established pattern of anti-Israel bias and membership rules that allow the election of the world’s worst human rights abusers to seats on the Council.  Prior to making this decision, and after our exit, the United States has urged UN member states to take immediate action to reform the Council before it became irreparable.  Unfortunately, th

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Florida Family Policy Council Dinner Gala

Washington, DC

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Well, good evening, everyone.  Good evening to all my friends in Florida!  I can hear the applause all the way up I-95.

And I know many of you came from all across the state to be with this great group tonight – from Pensacola, to Pinellas County, to Palm Beach.

I am terribly sorry I can’t be with you in person.  I can tell you’re all having

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

En Route to Shannon, Ireland

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Greetings, everyone.

QUESTION:  Hello.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  How are you all?

QUESTION:  Hello.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Well, that was a – I thought it was a great trip.  We accomplished just about everything we were hoping to do.  We were back in Europe leading from the front this time, talking about s

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Rome, Italy

Eurovision Studio

QUESTION: But let me ask you how it went. You’re fresh from the Vatican. How did it go this morning with the cardinals? What progress did you make?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Look, we had a constructive discussion. We have a shared objective. The Chinese Communist Party is behaving in ways that are reminiscent of what’s only happened in centuries past in terms of human rights violation

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Ben Franklin Room

Washington, D.C.

QUESTION:  We’re at the U.S. Department of State in the Ben Franklin Room.  We’re actually sitting atop the swamp, are we not, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo?

SECRETARY POMPEO:  It’s great to be with you.  It’s great to be here at the State Department.  This is a beautiful place, where I get a chance to host leaders from all around the world.  Thanks for letting me be wit

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Jack Graham, Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church

Plano, Texas

Prestonwood Baptist Church

MR GRAHAM: Well, I am so happy to be able to introduce to you Secretary of State of the United States of America Mike Pompeo, who first and foremost in his resume – and you’re about to hear an incredible resume – but first and foremost, he is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and a believer in our savior. (Applause.)

He was b

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

PLANO, TEXAS

QUESTION:  Secretary, good morning to you.  Thanks very much for being here.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Maria, it’s great to be with you.  Thanks for having me on the show this morning.

QUESTION:  I want to discuss the magnitude of this agreement in a moment, but first I do want to get your thoughts on Justice Ginsberg’s passing this morning.

SECRETARY POMPEO: 

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Wallenstein Palace

Prague, Czech Republic

MR VYSTRCIL:  (Via interpreter)  The minister, chairman of the senate, president of the chamber of deputies, senators, members of the parliament, Mr. Secretary, members of the government, Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, dear guests:

It’s been 30 years – it was in 1990, in Washington, in the American Congress – 1990 – when President Vaclav Havel delivered a speech at the Congress.

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, good afternoon, everyone.

On behalf of the United States, I want to extend our deepest condolences to all those who were affected by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut yesterday. We stand ready to assist the Government of Lebanon and its – as it grapples with this horrible tragedy. You’ll see the United States announce a number of things we intend to do to assist

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Since 1999, the Communist Party of China (CCP) has sought to eradicate Falun Gong, a spiritual practice originating in China, and its peaceful practitioners and human rights defenders who have fought for their right to practice their beliefs.  Extensive evidence shows the PRC government continues to repress and abuse this community to this day, including reported torture of Falun Gong practitioners and detention of thousands.

Last year, I welcomed Dr. Y

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Family Leader Summit

Ron Pearson Center, West Des Moines, Iowa

MRS POMPEO: Good afternoon and thank you for that. I’m pretty sure that this is the precise moment when my husband, who thought it was a fun idea to have me introduce him today, is questioning why. (Laughter.) He doesn’t know for sure what I’m going to say, but he’ll be just fine.

You are probably somewhat familiar with Mike’s resume. His resume reflects his li

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Via Teleconference

QUESTION: Let’s go to the phones right now. Welcome back to the Simon Conway Show, right across the Midwest. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Mr. Secretary, welcome back. How are you?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Simon, it’s great to be with you. I understand you were engaged this weekend. Congratulations.

QUESTION: Wow. Yes. (Laughter.) And they say the government is watching you.

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

MR CLEMONS:  Hello, and welcome.  I’m Steve Clemons, editor-at-large of The Hill.  Thank you for joining us for New Threats, New Defense: The Future of National Security.  Before we get underway, a message from the chairman of The Hill, Jimmy Finkelstein.

MR FINKELSTEIN:  Good morning.  I’m Jimmy Finkelstein, chairman of The Hill.  I want to welcome you all here today.  We have a tremendous progr

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, DC

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Good morning, everyone.  I want to start by marking – yeah, good morning.  Good to see some new – James, great to see you back.

QUESTION:  Likewise.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Welcome.  I want to start by marking two anniversaries.  First, on July 11th, the United States and Vietnam celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone. Good to be with you all today. I want to start my remarks, as I often do, on matters relating to China.

As many of you saw, I met with Yang Jiechi last week in Hawaii.

We had a very frank discussion about the Chinese Communist Party’s unprovoked aggression on a number of fronts and I pressed him for more transparency on COVID for the good

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

QUESTION:  Welcome back, America.  I’m Hugh Hewitt.  Thank you for joining me on this Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020.  I’m joined now by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.  Mr. Secretary, welcome back to the Hugh Hewitt Show.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Hugh, it’s great to be with you this morning.

QUESTION:  Well, thank you.  I had never expected to say this, because John Bolton is a friend of mine – he’s been

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Via Teleconference

QUESTION: Ladies and gentlemen, in my 44 years on the radio I’ve had the opportunity to interview President Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush and many other leaders of note, and I am deeply honored today to have as my guest the 70th United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

He is one of the most qualified individuals to ever serve in this position, and I’m anxious to ta

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, DC

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Good morning, everyone.  It’s great to be with you all today.  I’m here one more time, proudly, to talk about freedom and free societies.  And while America is not a perfect nation by any means, we always strive towards that more perfect union, trying to improve.  We remain the greatest nation in the history of civilization.

One of the good things that we do in this adm

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Via Teleconference

QUESTION:  We are celebrating the 76th anniversary of D-Day.  What is the continued significance of this day for the United States and the world?  Do you think it has any lessons for today’s global environment?

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Well, the shape of the world today, the freedom we have, the strong sense that the ideas that America’s founders put in the heads of all of us as Americans, they were

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Washington, DC

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Good morning, everyone.  This morning, early, I had the chance to drive through Arlington Cemetery, and as we approach Memorial Day Weekend, I want to reflect on the sacrifices of our uniformed military who have given their lives in the cause of freedom.

As Secretary of State and an Army veteran, I spend all my days working to use American diplomatic power to secure fre

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

QUESTION:  Mr. Secretary, welcome back to Focus on the Family.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Jim, it’s great to be with you today.

QUESTION:  Let’s start with the creed of the State Department.  I know you know it.  If you can indulge me for the listeners, I’ll read it quickly.  The State Department mission is to create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people a

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