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The US State Department revealed that it is still providing protection to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Iran envoy Brian Hook long after they have left their posts. In a report by the Associated Press, the agency revealed that Pompeo and Hook’s security detail is costing the American public $2 million a month.
In a report by the department to Congress obtained by the outlet, over $2 million in 24-hour security detail per month is being provided to Pompeo and Hook to this day. From August 2021 and February 2022, the cost of their protection by the department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security amounted to $13.1 million.
To note, Pompeo is naturally given 180 days of protection by the department after leaving office. However, Pompeo’s successor Antony Blinken has extended protection for the former top diplomat in 60-day increments citing “a serious and credible threat from a foreign power or agent of a foreign power arising from duties performed by former Secretary Pompeo while employed by the department,” according to the report.
Pompeo, along with Hook, led the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, imposing severe sanctions while withdrawing the US from the 2015 nuclear deal. US intelligence assessments revealed that the two former officials are facing threats even after leaving office and even as the Biden administration is currently indirectly negotiating with Tehran to restore the nuclear deal. Protection for Hook has also been extended in the same 60-day increments by Blinken.
The latest 60-day extension is set to expire soon, and the State Department and the Director of National Intelligence must determine by March 16 if the security detail for Pompeo and Hook should be extended again, according to the report.
Pompeo also led the Trump administration’s backing of Taiwan in the midst of tensions with China over the island nation. Beijing claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has engaged in a pressure campaign on the island nation and its democratic government. Pompeo’s move to lift restrictions on US contacts with Taiwan made him among the best-known politicians on the island while also drawing the ire of Beijing.
Early this month, Pompeo said that Washington must recognize Taiwan as “a free and sovereign country.” Speaking with reporters, the former diplomat noted that an invasion of Taiwan by China would depend on how willing the West is in showing Chinese President Xi Jinping that invading Taiwan comes at a high price.
