Diplomats aghast as Pompeo speaks at RNC from Jerusalem

[NewYorkExpress]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/diplomats-aghast-pompeo-set-address-gop-convention-jerusalem-n1237956

Diplomats who are barred by law from mixing work and politics say they're appalled by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, breaking with long-standing traditions aimed at isolating American's foreign policy from partisan battles at home.

It would be problematic enough, current and former U.S. diplomats said, if Pompeo were simply showing up at the convention to speak. But Pompeo's decision to use a stop in Jerusalem during an official overseas trip as the site for his recorded speech to fellow Republicans raises even more troubling questions about the message it sends to other countries and whether U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill, they said.

"It's all just shredding the Hatch Act," a current U.S. diplomat said, referring to the federal law that prohibits government employees from political activity on the job or in their official capacities.

[Never Made it to Graceland]

It's unsurprising that an administration whose main foreign policy concern seems to be propping up Bibi would use their diplomatic efforts on a partisan level.

[Kuumo]

No one has seemed to care about the Hatch Act since November 2016. U.S. government property is de facto controlled by the President's party now. First the Comey letter, then the RNC segments in the White House, and now this.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Yeah, this is wildly illegal. Actually more obviously illegally, possibly even more obviously unethical, than the Ukraine stuff or the emoluments clause stuff. Speaking of Secretaries of State, I could make a "BUT HER EMAILS" jibe too. But that would be lazy and a forced meme at this stage.

[Storr]

Yes this is illegal, but like Barr's DOJ will ever do anything about it.

[brucejoel99]

So much for the party of "Law & Order." These guys see themselves as absolute rulers & they think they can do anything they want. They're rubbing it into the nose of what's left of the republic.

[Kingpoleon]

Yeah, this is wildly illegal. Actually more obviously illegally, possibly even more obviously unethical, than the Ukraine stuff or the emoluments clause stuff. Speaking of Secretaries of State, I could make a "BUT HER EMAILS" jibe too. But that would be lazy and a forced meme at this stage.

It is not illegal for a Cabinet member to speak at a convention.

[Progressive Pessimist]

I'm aghast that anyone is still capable of being "aghast" about any of this administration's conduct. I wish I was capable of feeling anything but cynicism, despar, and numbness again.

[NewYorkExpress]

Yeah, this is wildly illegal. Actually more obviously illegally, possibly even more obviously unethical, than the Ukraine stuff or the emoluments clause stuff. Speaking of Secretaries of State, I could make a "BUT HER EMAILS" jibe too. But that would be lazy and a forced meme at this stage.

It is not illegal for a Cabinet member to speak at a convention.

It does violate State Department policy for the Secretary of State to do so.

[brucejoel99]

Yeah, this is wildly illegal. Actually more obviously illegally, possibly even more obviously unethical, than the Ukraine stuff or the emoluments clause stuff. Speaking of Secretaries of State, I could make a "BUT HER EMAILS" jibe too. But that would be lazy and a forced meme at this stage.

It is not illegal for a Cabinet member to speak at a convention.

It does violate State Department policy for the Secretary of State to do so.

And the Hatch Act if governmental resources - as they seem to be in this instance - are being used to help put on the speech.

[Kingpoleon]

Yeah, this is wildly illegal. Actually more obviously illegally, possibly even more obviously unethical, than the Ukraine stuff or the emoluments clause stuff. Speaking of Secretaries of State, I could make a "BUT HER EMAILS" jibe too. But that would be lazy and a forced meme at this stage.

It is not illegal for a Cabinet member to speak at a convention.

It does violate State Department policy for the Secretary of State to do so.

Violating policy is not violating the law.

[brucejoel99]

Yeah, this is wildly illegal. Actually more obviously illegally, possibly even more obviously unethical, than the Ukraine stuff or the emoluments clause stuff. Speaking of Secretaries of State, I could make a "BUT HER EMAILS" jibe too. But that would be lazy and a forced meme at this stage.

It is not illegal for a Cabinet member to speak at a convention.

It does violate State Department policy for the Secretary of State to do so.

Violating policy is not violating the law.

Violating the Hatch Act is, though. They won't be admonished by this administration, but it would still constitute a violation of law.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

https://twitter.com/tackettdc/status/1298319951896489984

[R.P. McM]

Pompeo being Pompeo, Republicans being Republicans ...

... Israel being Israel. Yeah, this didn't happen without their consent. Which is the more interesting aspect of the episode. Increasingly, Israel seems determined to alienate the ascendant political coalition of its benefactor state. Well, good luck with that!

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

If Hillary had done this for the 2012 DNC...

[brucejoel99]

https://twitter.com/tackettdc/status/1298319951896489984

It's okay because Trump says so. This Senate will never care. This administration does what it wants.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Appropriate considering Israel dictates our foreign policy.

[ηєω ƒяσηтιєя]

Imagine if Warren Christopher spoke at the 1996 DNC in support of Bill Clinton's re-election or Hillary spoke at the 2012 DNC in support of Barack Obama's re-election.

[NewYorkExpress]

Pompeo being Pompeo, Republicans being Republicans ...

... Israel being Israel. Yeah, this didn't happen without their consent. Which is the more interesting aspect of the episode. Increasingly, Israel seems determined to alienate the ascendant political coalition of its benefactor state. Well, good luck with that!

If Netanhayu gives the order, Mossad can have Biden/Harris killed.

They are the best in the world at targeted assassinations for a reason.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

It's unsurprising that an administration whose main foreign policy concern seems to be propping up Bibi would use their diplomatic efforts on a partisan level.

Well, good thing their opponents will stand up by ummm, never mind.

https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1298738089330970635


Sure, Israel would prefer Trump, but they do pretty well with Biden/Harris too. For some reason foreign interference is fine if it's from Israel.

[Never Made it to Graceland]

It's unsurprising that an administration whose main foreign policy concern seems to be propping up Bibi would use their diplomatic efforts on a partisan level.

Well, good thing their opponents will stand up by ummm, never mind.

https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1298738089330970635

Sure, Israel would prefer Trump, but they do pretty well with Biden/Harris too. For some reason foreign interference is fine if it's from Israel.

Most progressive candidate in history 😎😎

[Calthrina950]

I'm not going to step into the arguments concerning Israel and Jerusalem, nor those bearing upon the Netanyahu regime. However, I will say that Pompeo's action here is clearly unethical and in violation of the Hatch Act and of the aforementioned State Department policies. But Trump doesn't care, knowing that neither he nor any of his subordinates will ever be held accountable by the Senate for their actions. His acquittal back in February gave him license to flout the law as he pleases. The only way this will stop is for him to be defeated in November and sent packing from the White House.

[The Mikado]

If anyone was wondering who the last sitting Secretary of State to address a convention was, it was William Rogers at the 1972 RNC, nearly 50 years ago. It's long enough ago that it'd be like someone trying to do something in the 2068 RNC and saying "But Trump pardoned someone on live TV during his convention!"

Anyway, maybe the Hatch Act should have some sort of actual penalty attached to it other than getting a stern talking to and finger waggling. Until then, it's hard to take it seriously. (This predates Trump, btw)

If staffers faced fines or dismissal or a bar from future government service for violating the Hatch Act, they'd be a lot more careful about it.

And, yes, I know the President and Vice President are immune from the Hatch Act, but everyone else, including every person who works for either of them, isn't immune from it.

[NewYorkExpress]

If anyone was wondering who the last sitting Secretary of State to address a convention was, it was William Rogers at the 1972 RNC, nearly 50 years ago. It's long enough ago that it'd be like someone trying to do something in the 2068 RNC and saying "But Trump pardoned someone on live TV during his convention!"

Anyway, maybe the Hatch Act should have some sort of actual penalty attached to it other than getting a stern talking to and finger waggling. Until then, it's hard to take it seriously. (This predates Trump, btw)

If staffers faced fines or dismissal or a bar from future government service for violating the Hatch Act, they'd be a lot more careful about it.

And, yes, I know the President and Vice President are immune from the Hatch Act, but everyone else, including every person who works for either of them, isn't immune from it.

That's honestly something that should change. I'd also suggest that Congresspeople and Senators also should be subject to the Hatch Act.

[Horus]

Israel's time as a welfare state is limited. Millennials and Zoomers, often on both sides of the aisle are absolutely sick of the double standards.