Mike Pompeo hints he may run for president regardless of Trump
The ex-secretary of state says he will run if he ‘come[s] to believe [he] ought to become president’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo does not appear to be deterred from potentially seeking Donald Trump’s old job, even as Mr Trump regularly teases his intent to seek a return to the job American voters fired him from in 2020.
Mr Pompeo, a former Kansas congressman who served as Mr Trump’s CIA director before being elevated to the top of the State Department, did not rule out mounting his own 2024 campaign during an appearance at South Carolina Representative Jeff Duncan’s Faith and Freedom Barbeque
Asked whether he would stand aside if Mr Trump declares his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, Mr Pompeo replied: “We’re going to make our decision based on if we think this is the right place for us to serve”.
“If I come to believe I ought to become president, that I have something to offer the American people, I will run no matter who all decides to get in and who else decides not to get in the race,” he said, according to the South Carolina newspaper The State.
The former secretary of state has been criss-crossing the US in recent months in support of Republican candidates in this year’s midterm elections, and has become a regular guest on Fox News, where he is a paid contributor.
The West Point graduate and former Army officer, once among the more portly figures in Mr Trump’s orbit, has also lost a dramatic amount of weight in the roughly 18 months since he left government service, which has led to yet more speculation on whether he made the decision to slim down in anticipation of a presidential campaign.
In an interview with the New York Post, Mr Pompeo attributed the drastic change in his body composition and appearance — which he estimated as a 90-pound weight loss — to an improved diet and more exercise.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments