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Pompeo Embarks on Trip to Europe, Middle East Amid Transition Delay

Cindy Saine

   WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo embarks Friday on a
   10-day, seven-nation trip to Europe and the Middle East that will focus
   on counterterrorism and religious freedom.

   The trip comes nearly a week after Joe Biden became the projected
   winner of the U.S. presidency, with the leaders of many nations,
   including those where Pompeo is traveling, congratulating the
   president-elect. For his part, when asked about working with the Biden
   transition team, the secretary of state told reporters earlier this
   week that, "there will be a smooth transition to a second Trump
   administration."

   After making the comment, Pompeo said the State Department would be
   prepared to be successful "with the president who's in office on
   January 20," without mentioning President-elect Joe Biden.

   Asked at a phone briefing Friday previewing the trip whether Pompeo
   would talk to his hosts about plans for a second Trump administration,
   a senior State Department official said Pompeo remains the Secretary of
   State.

   "We have continuity of government and Secretary Pompeo remains focused
   on the mission."

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