Pompeo, considered a contender for the GOP presidential nomination but never polling well, has never completely shied away from the prospect of running for president.
“For those of you, this announcement is disappointing Sorry,” Pompeo said two minutes later Video Posted on Twitter. “It’s thrilling for those of you, Know that I am only 59 years old, and there are many more opportunities where presidential leadership is still necessary and the time is more appropriate.
Pompeo has distanced himself from his former boss, Donald Trump, and sought to be closer to political groups. Trump is dominating.
Unlike several other big-name Republicans, such as former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Pompeo chose to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in March, both of whom are likely presidential contenders.
Addressing the CPAC crowd, Pompeo attacked Trump without naming him.
“We cannot become leftists, following celebrity leaders who have their own identity politics — people with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge reality,” Pompeo said. “We cannot shift the blame to others, but must step forward and accept the responsibility that comes to those who lead.”
In his speech, Pompeo referred to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which he cast doubt on days after Joe Biden was declared the winner.
Days after Joe Biden was declared the winner, Pompeo responded to how the State Department would change in such a situation: “There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.” He later He avoided further questions During a Fox News interview when he was He asked if he was serious when he made those comments.
After leaving the Trump administration, Pompeo sought to portray his legacy as a tough politician.
In his book “Don’t Give An Inch: Fighting for the America I Love,” which Published in January, Pompeo called journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was brutally murdered in 2018, an “activist.”
Pompeo has taken the side of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was found to have ordered Khashoggi’s assassination, and has long defended America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Trump, former Trump cabinet member Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramasamy have announced they are running for the Republican presidential nomination. Sen. Tim Scott also announced an inspection team this week.
Amy B Wang contributed to this report.
