Diplomats aghast as Pompeo set to address GOP convention from Jerusalem

[Nevilledog]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/diplomats-aghast-pompeo-set-address-gop-convention-jerusalem-n1237956

WASHINGTON — Diplomats who are barred by law from mixing work and politics say they're appalled by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, breaking with long-standing traditions aimed at isolating American's foreign policy from partisan battles at home.

It would be problematic enough, current and former U.S. diplomats said, if Pompeo were simply showing up at the convention to speak. But Pompeo's decision to use a stop in Jerusalem during an official overseas trip as the site for his recorded speech to fellow Republicans raises even more troubling questions about the message it sends to other countries and whether U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill, they said.

"It's all just shredding the Hatch Act," a current U.S. diplomat said, referring to the federal law that prohibits government employees from political activity on the job or in their official capacities.

The official and others still working for the government spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Their comments were echoed by former U.S. diplomats who said the dismay within the diplomatic community was palpable.

*snip*

[vapor2]

1. SHREDDING THE HATCH ACT?

These grifters are shredding our CONSTITUTION as well and not one. single. republican. will stop them.

[Tanuki]

2. Yuck. Reducing Jerusalem to a prop for a speech that is already an

ethical violation.

[Docreed2003]

3. Bet five bucks

Pompeo uses this speech to toss out evangelical buzz words with Jerusalem as a backdrop for their base, which no other SoS would dream of using.

[crickets]

4. If the media has any spine at all, they will roast him for it.

Don't hold your breath.