Pro family and pro life conservative Mike Pompeo is now the incumbent Secretary of State after the Senate confirmed him on Thursday, April 26, 2018 with a 57-42 vote. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath at 2:00 pm. ET, according to State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
President Trump expressed his congratulations to Mike Pompeo in a statement, saying:
I am pleased with the Senate’s confirmation of Mike Pompeo to serve as our country’s top diplomat. Having a patriot of Mike’s immense talent, energy, and intellect leading the Department of State will be an incredible asset for our country at this critical time in history. He will always put the interests of America first. He has my trust. He has my support. Today, he has my congratulations on becoming America’s 70th Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State is in charge of the administration of of the Department of State and is the President’s top adviser on matters of foreign policy, traveling around the world to represent the interests of the United States. The Secretary of State also oversees the appointment of American diplomats to other countries and is in charge of the approval and dismissal of representatives from foreign nations to the United States. With his new position, Pompeo will conduct negotiations, including establishing treaties and economic agreements with foreign countries. Pompeo will also personally participate in or direct the participation of conferences, events, organizations, and agencies such as the United Nations.
Pompeo will play a direct role in the supervision of the protection of Christians ministering or living abroad. He will also supervise the enforcement of the United State’s immigration policy. The Secretary of State also serves as a liaison between Congress and the American people on matters of foreign policy and national security.
The Secretary of State is the highest ranking of the fifteen Cabinet members. This makes Pompeo the third highest ranking official of the Executive Branch, following the President and Vice President. The Secretary of State is fourth in line of succession to the Presidency following the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate.
