TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharply criticized U.S. President Joe Biden during his speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday (July 18).
Pompeo focused his remarks on what he called Biden’s failures in both domestic and foreign policy. He contrasted Biden’s approach unfavorably with former President Donald Trump’s tenure, particularly highlighting what he called Biden’s reluctance to confront foreign adversaries, per CNA.
"Evil of Putin was in check" during Trump’s presidency, Pompeo asserted, contrasting this with recent Russian actions such as the invasion of Ukraine and the recent airstrike on a children’s hospital. Pompeo also criticized Biden for easing sanctions on Iran, alleging indirect funding of Hamas through payments to the Ayatollah.
Pompeo boasted of his success in negotiating the release of hostages from North Korea without financial concessions, contrasting it with Biden’s failure to secure the release of hostages held by Iran. He emphasized Trump’s summits with North Korea as contributing to regional stability.
The former secretary of state identified the Chinese Communist Party as the foremost threat to the U.S. and cited a 2023 incident involving a Chinese spy balloon over American airspace as evidence of Biden’s mishandling of relations with China. Pompeo suggested he would have lost his job had such an incident occurred under Trump.
Pompeo also criticized Biden’s handling of domestic issues, starting with what he called a disrespectful gesture of checking his watch during a funeral service for soldiers killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal. As a former serviceman, Pompeo said he had respect for those who died "protecting American lives" and criticized Biden for what he saw as a lack of respect.
He also accused Biden of introducing "wokeness" into the military and schools while restricting free speech domestically. Pompeo argued that the world looks to the U.S. as a beacon of freedom but suggested Biden had not lived up to that expectation.
Regarding immigration, Pompeo criticized Biden’s southern border policy for allegedly allowing in "drug dealers, Islamist terrorists, Chinese spies, and violent criminals," and claimed Biden treated illegal immigrants better than native-born citizens.
Pompeo concluded by asserting that Biden’s actions fell short of upholding American values and argued that the U.S. needs a president who prioritizes America's interests.
