Mike Pompeo cancels final journey overseas as issues of violence at presidential inauguration develop

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cancelled what would have been his ultimate official journey overseas as issues develop over potential violence at subsequent week’s presidential inauguration, the State Department stated Tuesday.
Less than 18 hours after saying that Pompeo can be travelling to Brussels this week to shut out his tenure as America’s high diplomat, the division stated it had pulled down all senior-level abroad journey, together with the secretary’s.
Pompeo was to have met with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Belgium’s international minister whereas in Brussels. Initial plans for a cease in Luxembourg had been already been scrapped as a result of coronavirus pandemic, officers stated.
Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus stated the choice had been made to help within the transition to the incoming Biden administration, which can assume workplace on Jan. 20. Since final week’s lethal assault on the US Capitol by rioters inspired by President Donald Trump, issues have been raised in regards to the safety of Biden’s inauguration. Officials stated the cancellation of Pompeo’s journey was meant to help the transition and was not associated to fears of violence.

“The Department of State is well along in its transition efforts with President-elect Biden’s team,” Ortagus stated in a press release.
“We are fully committed to the completion of a smooth and orderly transition process to be finalized over the next 8 days. Both the department and the President-elect’s team have been fully engaged for several weeks toward this end, and we are pleased with the level of cooperation and professionalism that has been displayed.”
Pompeo, who was criticized for not instantly recognizing Biden’s victory over Trump in November’s election, met final week together with his designated successor, Antony Blinken, in what a State Department official described as a cordial assembly.

“We are expecting shortly a plan from the incoming administration identifying the career officials who will remain in positions of responsibility on an acting basis until the Senate confirmation process is complete for incoming officials,” Ortagus stated within the assertion.
“As a result, we are cancelling all planned travel this week, including the secretary’s trip to Europe.”
In addition to Pompeo’s journey, the division cancelled a deliberate go to to Taiwan by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, in addition to a number of different journeys deliberate by senior officers this week.

The division’s most senior profession diplomat, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale, who’s No. 3 within the hierarchy, is anticipated to function appearing secretary of state from midday on Jan. 20 till Blinken is confirmed by the Senate.
The division had introduced late Monday that Pompeo can be visiting Brussels on his ultimate journey overseas.