Mike Pompeo | Poll-Vaulter

December 2, 2019

Republicans for the Rule of Law—a nonprofit group of lifelong conservative GOP members who are “dedicated to defending the institutions of our republic”— has called out President Donald Trump with a critical TV ad.

In its new 32-second clip released online November 27, The Huffington Post reports, the group questions the White House’s refusal to allow key witnesses in the Ukraine scandal to testify before Congress in the impeachment inquiry that targets Trump.

“These witnesses must testify,” the voiceover says, referring to a lineup of Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, along with White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former National Security Adviser John Bolton.

“What is Trump afraid of?” the narrator adds.

The ad is slated to air on Fox News’ flagship morning show “Fox & Friends” for several days after Thanksgiving.

Republicans for the Rule of Law Executive Director Sarah Longwell said in a statement that the House impeachment hearings “have presented startling evidence” that Trump “abused his power, strong-arming a foreign government to interfere on his behalf in the upcoming election, and damaging national security in the process.”

“The president denies the allegations, but won’t let key administration officials― including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney―testify to Congress,” Longwell added. “If the president did nothing wrong, what does he have to hide? If they tell the truth, what is he afraid of? Most importantly, will Republicans in Congress allow the president to simply ignore their constitutionally mandated oversight role?”

According to the HuffPost, the group last week launched a campaign that aimed to educate GOP voters―who polls have shown remain steadfast in their support of Trump―on the facts of the Ukraine scandal that prompted the impeachment inquiry.

Research contact: @HuffPost

April 19, 2018

As unconfirmed Secretary of State candidate (and former CIA chief) Mike Pompeo returns from a secret visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, most Americans are torn between not wanting to confer legitimacy on the Hermit State and wanting President Donald Trump to follow up with an upcoming summit, based on findings of a Washington Post-ABC News poll of 1,002 U.S. adults released on April 17.

Over half (56%) say Trump should hold a summit meeting with Kim to try to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. A smaller number (36%) say the meeting should not be held because it would give Kim validity while his government allegedly violates international law.

Three in 10 Americans think it is likely the meeting will lead to an agreement for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but two-thirds of the public say that is unlikely—including 42% who say it is “very unlikely”—the Post-ABC poll finds.

Trump and Kim have traded vague threats of using a “nuclear button,” but, by a margin of nearly two to one, Americans say Trump should not threaten U.S. military action against North Korea if it doesn’t give up its nuclear weapons.

There are modest partisan differences on support for holding a summit, with 70% of Republicans expressing support for the meeting while 46% percent of Democrats and 56% of Independents saying the same. But majorities across partisan lines find it unlikely the meeting will lead to an agreement for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, including 77% of Democrats, 67% of Independents and 58% of Republicans.

Research contact: emily.guskin@washpost.com

Posts tagged with "Mike Pompeo"

Republican group pummels Trump with derogatory ad: ‘What Is He Afraid Of?’

Public supports North Korea summit, but isn’t hoping for results