March 13, 2018

Castro Statement on CIA Director Replacing Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the only democratic member on both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement:

“Today’s decision to fire Rex Tillerson and appoint CIA Director Mike Pompeo—all on Twitter—is deeply concerning. While I disagreed with Rex Tillerson, the President put him in a position to fail by proposing a 26% cut to the State Department and USAID. In turn, Mr. Pompeo will face similar circumstances and it is my hope that he can and will adequately push back against the President’s overall disregard for our diplomatic and development institutions, and restore effectiveness at the Department. I also have serious concerns about the President’s appointment to lead the Agency, Gina Haspel, who has a troubling history of alleged involvement in torture programs and destroying any evidence associated with these techniques.

“At a time when the United States is set to enter high stakes negotiations with North Korea and faces the continued threat of Russia’s election interference, this transition will further cripple the State Department our President and Secretary of State have failed to support and degrade our ability to extend the hand of friendship across the world. America needs leadership—not this constant administrative chaos that jeopardizes U.S. national security and hurts America’s ability to lead among nations.”

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