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Diplomats angry and afraid as Ukraine controversy embroils Pompeo's State Department
Source: CNN
Diplomats angry and afraid as Ukraine controversy embroils Pompeo's State Department
By Nicole Gaouette, Jennifer Hansler and Kylie Atwood, CNN
Updated 0016 GMT (0816 HKT) October 6, 2019
Washington (CNN) — President Donald Trump's attempts to compel Ukraine to investigate the family of his chief political rival are deepening anger and concern inside the State Department as Secretary Mike Pompeo's role in the drama comes under greater scrutiny.
A dozen current and former staff from different areas of the State Department and at different stages of their careers who spoke to CNN said the Ukraine controversy has exacerbated divisions between political appointees and career diplomats, many of whom say the department is being politicized in ways that undermine US ties to other countries.
State Department staff also tell CNN that frustration is building as Pompeo tries to steer the currents created by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has inserted himself into foreign policy, and the President's expectations of complete loyalty. Pompeo seems to "lack the backbone" to push back on Trump, one veteran career official said, even as the President appears to use the department to meet his political aims.
Several officials told CNN there is also fear of retaliation from an administration that they say has consistently sidelined America's oldest Cabinet agency.
-snip-
By Nicole Gaouette, Jennifer Hansler and Kylie Atwood, CNN
Updated 0016 GMT (0816 HKT) October 6, 2019
Washington (CNN) — President Donald Trump's attempts to compel Ukraine to investigate the family of his chief political rival are deepening anger and concern inside the State Department as Secretary Mike Pompeo's role in the drama comes under greater scrutiny.
A dozen current and former staff from different areas of the State Department and at different stages of their careers who spoke to CNN said the Ukraine controversy has exacerbated divisions between political appointees and career diplomats, many of whom say the department is being politicized in ways that undermine US ties to other countries.
State Department staff also tell CNN that frustration is building as Pompeo tries to steer the currents created by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has inserted himself into foreign policy, and the President's expectations of complete loyalty. Pompeo seems to "lack the backbone" to push back on Trump, one veteran career official said, even as the President appears to use the department to meet his political aims.
Several officials told CNN there is also fear of retaliation from an administration that they say has consistently sidelined America's oldest Cabinet agency.
-snip-
Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/05/politics/pompeo-state-department-ukraine-controversy/index.html