Politics - News Analysis
Mike Pompeo Screams, Drops F-Bomb at Reporter over Ukraine and Makes Her Point to Ukraine on a Map
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused to answer questions about whether or not he defended former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch in a Friday interview with National Public Radio.
Yovanovitch, who testified during the November 2019 impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, was relieved of her position in May 2019.
Recent documents from Rudy Giuliani’s former business associate Lev Parnas allege that Yovanovitch may have been the subject of illegal surveillance during her time in Kyiv, Ukraine.
When asked by All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly to remember a moment when he spoke in Yovanovitch’s defense, Pompeo refused to answer the question directly.
“Where have you defended Marie Yovanovitch?” Kelly asked.
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“I’ve defended every single person on this team,” Pompeo replied. “I’ve done what’s right for every single person on this team.”
“Can you point me towards your remarks where you have defended Marie Yovanovitch?” Kelly asked.
“I’ve said all I’m going to say today,” Pompeo replied. “Thank you.”
While Pompeo opted not to speak about Yovanovitch, he did talk about the Trump administration’s work in Ukraine.
“I know what our Ukraine policy has been now for three years with this administration,” Pompeo said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done. This administration delivered the capability for the Ukrainians to defend themselves. President Obama showed up with MREs. We showed up with Javelin missiles.”
“The previous administration did nothing to take down corruption in Ukraine,” Pompeo added. “We’re working hard on that.”
But things got much worse.
Pompeo reportedly screamed at the reporter and made her point out Ukraine on a map, which she did.
Wow. @NPR's @NPRKelly just now on @npratc says @SecPompeo was furious about being questioned about Ukraine in her interview. Took her into his office, cursed at her, dropping f-bombs, made her point to Ukraine on an unmarked map (she did). It's just…shocking.
— Lulu Garcia-Navarro (@lourdesgnavarro) January 24, 2020
Pompeo also reportedly swore at Kelly, and used the F-word.
Wow. After pressing him on Ukraine, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly says he "shouted" at her for longer than the interview lasted, asked if she thought Americans cared about Ukraine, used the word fuck & had her point to Ukraine on an unmarked map. He said, "People will hear about this."
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 24, 2020
Here is the transcript from CNN’s Daniel Dale:
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly says the following happened after the interview in which she asked some tough questions to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. pic.twitter.com/cRTb71fZvX
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) January 24, 2020
LISTEN:
Mike Pompeo — who refused a House subpoena — would be a top witness for Democrats in the impeachment trial.
He is not set to testify, but he spoke to @NPRKelly. She asked the secretary of state if he would defend Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch: pic.twitter.com/1YoGWOSdqb
— Morning Edition (@MorningEdition) January 24, 2020
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