WASHINGTON (AP) He didnt mention Rex Tillerson by name. But the contrast was clear as new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived at the State Department on Tuesday vowing to reinvigorate American diplomacy and help the United States get back our swagger.
Pompeo was greeted with cheers and applause as he entered the marbled lobby of the Harry S. Truman Building for the first time as Americas top diplomat and addressed a diplomatic corps left deeply dispirited by a tumultuous year under Tillerson, President Donald Trumps first secretary of state. Pompeo described his mission as leading diplomats to execute Trumps foreign policy with incredible vigor and incredible energy.
The United States diplomatic corps needs to be in every corner, every stretch of the world, executing missions on behalf of this country, Pompeo said. It is my humble, noble undertaking to help you achieve that.