Live: Mike Pompeo testifies at Senate hearing | CNN Politics

Mike Pompeo testifies on Russia and North Korea

Veronica Rocha

Meg Wagner

By Veronica Rocha and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 7:00 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2018

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Pompeo hearing gets heated over what Trump told Putin

2:40 • Source: CNN

bob menendez mike pompeo split senate foreign relations

Pompeo hearing gets heated over what Trump told Putin

2:40

What we covered here

The hearing: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
What happened: Lawmakers grilled Pompeo about North Korea and Russia, specifically on President Trump’s recent one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Updates

(17)

Our live coverage has ended. Scroll through the posts below to read more about today’s hearing.

Dem senator: We know more about Cohen tape than we do about private Trump-Putin meeting

Sen. Ed Markey, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said today’s hearing with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shed little light on what happened during President Trump’s one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

He added: “That’s the dilemma that the American people have a right to know what the President is doing in their name in protecting the national security of our country.”

4 key takeaways from Pompeo's Senate hearing

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifies during a hearing before Senate Foreign Relations Committee July 25, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifies during a hearing before Senate Foreign Relations Committee July 25, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee just wrapped up a hearing, where Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testified.

Here are the key takeaways:

On North Korea’s nuclear weapons: Pompeo would not say publicly if North Korea is still moving forward with its nuclear program. He told senator he’d answer the question “in a different setting.”
On North Korea-US relations: When Sen. Ed Markey expressed concerns that the US was being “taken for a ride” by North Korea, Pompeo quickly responded, saying, “Fear not, senator. Fear not.”
On the Trump-Putin summit: Pompeo revealed some of the things that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked about during their summit last week. He said they agreed to establish a business-to-business leadership exchange and talked about reestablishing counterterrorism council, but did not discuss sanctions on Russia.
On Russian election interference: In his opening statement, Pompeo said the President believes Russia interfered in the presidential election: “Finally, I want you to know, President Trump has stated that he accepts our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 election.”

Corker: Trump's actions "create tremendous distrust in our nation"

Committee chairman U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) speaks during a hearing before Senate Foreign Relations Committee July 25, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Committee chairman U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) speaks during a hearing before Senate Foreign Relations Committee July 25, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Republican Sen. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said President Trump’s actions “create tremendous distrust in our nation, among our allies.”

With those concerns in mind, he asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: “What is it that causes the President to purposely … create distrust in these institutions and what we are doing?”

Pompeo snapped back and said he disagreed with Corker.

He said the Trump administration has been “tougher than previous administrations.”

Ukraine welcomes US position on Crimea

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on Twitter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statement today reaffirming the United States’ refusal to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea

In a second tweet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “It is a strong message of int. community on illegal and aggressive actions of #Russia in the territory of #Ukraine aimed at disruption of European and global security.”

Pompeo won't say publicly if North Korea is still moving forward with its nuclear program

Sen. Cory Gardner asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo if North Korea is making progress with its nuclear program. Pompeo said he couldn’t give his answer during the hearing.

Here’s how the exchange went down:

Gardner: Is North Korea still moving or making advancements undertaking a nuclear program?

Pompeo: May I answer that question in a different setting?

Gardner: You can’t answer that question here?

Pompeo: Yeah. I’d prefer not to.

Pompeo then explained further: “I’m not trying to be cute. We’re engaged in a complex negotiation with a difficult adversary and each of the activities that we undertake is not going to be fully apparent to the world at the moment it is undertaken.”

Pompeo to senator: "Fear not," the US is not being taken for a ride by North Korea

Sen. Ed Markey expressed concerns that the US was being “taken for a ride” by North Korea.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly responded, saying, “Fear not, senator. Fear not.”

He continued:

“Fear not. This administration has taken enormously constructive actions that put us in a place far better than in either of the two previous administrations. One Democrat, one Republican. We have put in sanctions in place that is unequaled. We are continuing to enforce that sanctions regime. We have made it incredibly clear to continue to enforce that sanction regime until such time as denuclearization as we have defined it is complete. Pressure on the regime is clearly being felt. We have lots of work to do. But unlike previous administrations, senator, we have no intention of allowing the (United Nations) sanctions, the world’s sanctions, that we led the charge to have put in place to allowing the sanctions to either be lifted or not enforced. And until such time Chairman Kim (Jong Un) fulfills the commitment and I’m hopeful he will, those sanctions remain. We have not been taken for a ride, senator. I hope you can sleep a little bit better tonight.”

Watch the moment:

Russia responds after Pompeo says US won’t recognize Crimea

From CNN’s Emma Burrows

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s testimony that the US “rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea.”

In her response, she pointed to changing policies in past administrations.

Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page that the Iran deal and Paris climate accord were “also recently … official US policy” under the Obama administration. “And then Trump looked at it and reconsidered,” she said.

Pompeo confirms US will "defend our team" after they retire

Sen. Ben Cardin asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo if President Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke about Magnitsky.

That appears to be a reference to reports that surfaced after the summit that the White House was considering a Putin request to question the former US ambassador to Russia over his role in the passage of the Magnitsky Act.

Pompeo responded, “Let me make clear, the United States will defend our team in the field. And the team that’s been in the field when it retires, that’s been in the field. We understand that Americans deserve the protection in the United States of America both during their time in service and after.”

What Putin and Trump talked about in Helsinki

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked to describe what President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked about during their summit in Helsinki, Finland.

Here are some of the things Pompeo said they talked about:

The leaders made an agreement to establish a business-to-business leadership exchange.
The President talked about reestablishing counterterrorism council.
They talked about Syria and finding a “political resolution there.”

And here’s what they didn’t talk about:

They didn’t talk about sanctions on Russia.
No agreements were made on Ukraine.

Watch more:

Pompeo: I told Russia "there will be severe consequences" for election interference

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last week.

Pompeo said he personally “made clear that there will be severe consequences for interference in our democratic processes.”

Trump’s performance at the meeting drew criticism after he declined to endorse the US government’s assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying he doesn’t “see any reason why” Russia would be responsible. (Trump later said he misspoke).

Here’s how Pompeo put it just now:

Pompeo: Trump has "complete and proper understanding" of Russia's attack on election

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking before senators, told lawmakers that President Trump fully understands Russia’s attack on the 2016 presidential election.

“Finally, I want you to know, President Trump has stated that he accepts our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 election,” Pompeo said.

Happening now: Pompeo testifies before lawmakers

Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, just opened the hearing where Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will testify.

In his opening statement, Corker shared his concerns about the Trump administration’s conduct on foreign policy.

Here’s a portion of what Corker said:

“You come before a group of senators here today that are filled with serious doubts about this White House and its conduct of American foreign policy. There are a number of reasons to be concerned. Among them is the lack of information the administration has provided to members of this committee. It’s our hope that you will reduce our level of concern by providing us with clear answers that might help convince us that those at the White House know what they are doing and that to be candid you know what they are doing. I can’t say it more forcefully, we really need a clear understanding as to what is going on, what our President is agreeing to and what our strategy is on a number of issues.”

Pompeo will talk tough on Russia in opening statement

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will defend the administration’s handling of Russia and the Helsinki summit, lay out what he says are a list of tough Trump administration responses to Russia, and say that US would not recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, according to a copy of his prepared remarks obtained by CNN.

Pompeo will also talk about the importance of NATO and take a tough stance on Iran.

From the statement:

Pompeo also says President Trump understands that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections, based on his many hours of briefings.

5 key questions that will likely come up at today's hearing

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is likely to face tough questions from lawmakers at today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Here are a few questions that could come up:

President Trump met one-on-one with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. Did the President tell him what the two leaders talked about and what was discussed?
The White House says the next summit between Trump and Putin won’t happen until 2019 “after the Russia witch hunt is over.” Does Pompeo, the former CIA director, believe special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Russia’s attack on the 2016 election is a “witch hunt”?
Trump said Tuesday he is “very concerned” that Russia will look to impact the 2018 midterm elections and said he believes Moscow will look to boost Democrats this time. What is the US doing to safeguard the 2018 midterm elections and does Pompeo believe Putin is looking to boost Democrats?
Images show North Korea has started to dismantle key facilities at the satellite launch station. Analysts said the move represents “an important first step towards fulfilling a commitment” made by Kim during his summit with Trump. Does Pompeo think North Korea is making attempts to denuclearize?
Trump held a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore last month, but the President has privately expressed frustration over the perceived lack of progress in talks, a US official told CNN. Have talks between the US and North Korea stalled?

Pompeo: US will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement Wednesday to reaffirm the United States’ refusal to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea

Read his full statement:

“Russia, through its 2014 invasion of Ukraine and its attempted annexation of Crimea, sought to undermine a bedrock international principle shared by democratic states: that no country can change the borders of another by force. The states of the world, including Russia, agreed to this principle in the United Nations Charter, pledging to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This fundamental principle — which was reaffirmed in the Helsinki Final Act — constitutes one of the foundations upon which our shared security and safety rests. As we did in the Welles Declaration in 1940, the United States reaffirms as policy its refusal to recognize the Kremlin’s claims of sovereignty over territory seized by force in contravention of international law. In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored. The United States calls on Russia to respect the principles to which it has long claimed to adhere and to end its occupation of Crimea. As democratic states seek to build a free, just, and prosperous world, we must uphold our commitment to the international principle of sovereign equality and respect the territorial integrity of other states. Through its actions, Russia has acted in a manner unworthy of a great nation and has chosen to isolate itself from the international community.”

Mike Pompeo is testifying before a Senate committee today

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this afternoon.

He is expected to talk about President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, and the Trump administration’s ongoing talks with North Korea, according to the committee’s website.

Trump has yet to publicly discuss what he and Putin talked about their one-on-one meeting with translators.

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