Sen. Rand Paul
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulMcConnell about to school Trump on political power for the last time Legislatures boost security after insurrection, FBI warnings Former Missouri senator says backing Hawley was 'worst mistake of my life' MORE (R-Ky.) announced Monday he will back CIA Director Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoVoice of America journalists demand director's resignation over Pompeo event UN officials: Houthis terror designation is 'death sentence' for Yemen civilians The Hill's Morning Report - Trump impeached again; now what? MORE's nomination as secretary of State.
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulMcConnell about to school Trump on political power for the last time Legislatures boost security after insurrection, FBI warnings Former Missouri senator says backing Hawley was 'worst mistake of my life' MORE (R-Ky.) announced Monday he will back CIA Director Mike PompeoMike PompeoVoice of America journalists demand director's resignation over Pompeo event UN officials: Houthis terror designation is 'death sentence' for Yemen civilians The Hill's Morning Report - Trump impeached again; now what? MORE's nomination as secretary of State. Pompeo looked to be headed for a defeat, but if all 11 Republicans on the committee back him, he will win the panel's recommendation in an 11-10 vote even with every committee Democrat voting "no."
In explaining his U-turn, Paul said he had received assurances from President Trump
Donald TrumpEx-Trump lawyer Cohen to pen forward for impeachment book Murkowski says it would be 'appropriate' to bar Trump from holding office again Man known as 'QAnon Shaman' asks Trump for pardon after storming Capitol MORE, who had been lobbying the libertarian senator to back Pompeo.
Donald TrumpEx-Trump lawyer Cohen to pen forward for impeachment book Murkowski says it would be 'appropriate' to bar Trump from holding office again Man known as 'QAnon Shaman' asks Trump for pardon after storming Capitol MORE, who had been lobbying the libertarian senator to back Pompeo.Having received assurances from President Trump and Director Pompeo that he agrees with the President on these important issues, I have decided to support his nomination to be our next Secretary of State.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 23, 2018
Paul's previous opposition to Pompeo would have made the CIA director the first secretary of State nominee since the mid-1920s to be moved to the floor despite getting an unfavorable committee vote.
The senator previously said he would "do everything I can to block" Pompeo, citing his support of the Iraq War and views on enhanced interrogation techniques.
Paul found himself under pressure last week from Trump and some of his Republican Senate colleagues to confirm Pompeo.
“I hope that Sen. Paul will reconsider because if he changed his view then this would be over, and it really does bother me,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamMcConnell about to school Trump on political power for the last time Additional airlines ban guns on flights to DC ahead of inauguration Graham congratulates former rival Harrison on being picked to lead DNC MORE (R-S.C.). “He ran for president; I ran for president; Trump beat us both. ... The election is over.”
Lindsey Olin GrahamMcConnell about to school Trump on political power for the last time Additional airlines ban guns on flights to DC ahead of inauguration Graham congratulates former rival Harrison on being picked to lead DNC MORE (R-S.C.). “He ran for president; I ran for president; Trump beat us both. ... The election is over.”Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampHarrison seen as front-runner to take over DNC at crucial moment Biden to tap Vilsack for Agriculture secretary: reports OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA guidance may exempt some water polluters from Supreme Court permit mandate | Vilsack's stock rises with Team Biden | Arctic wildfires linked to warming temperatures: NOAA MORE (D-N.D.) announced last week she would vote "yes" on Pompeo, becoming the first Democrat to voice her support for the CIA director.
Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampHarrison seen as front-runner to take over DNC at crucial moment Biden to tap Vilsack for Agriculture secretary: reports OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA guidance may exempt some water polluters from Supreme Court permit mandate | Vilsack's stock rises with Team Biden | Arctic wildfires linked to warming temperatures: NOAA MORE (D-N.D.) announced last week she would vote "yes" on Pompeo, becoming the first Democrat to voice her support for the CIA director. Her move also ensured that Republicans would not need Paul's vote to confirm Pompeo on the Senate floor.
