Mike Pompeo Financial Disclosure 2019 - What America's Co-Chief War Hawk is Worth

The recently released 2019 edition of the Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report for Secretary of State and world's biggest Donald Trump fan, Mike Pompeo, shows that he really is "one of us" when it comes to his assets.  This is in sharp contrast to other members of the Trump cabinet that are substantially better off.

As part of government transparency, America's government leadership is required to reveal their financial interests by completing a Public Financial Disclosure Report as stated here:

"Transparency is a critical part of government ethics, and Congress has determined that the citizens should know their leaders’ financial interests.  To facilitate such transparency, Congress enacted the financial disclosure provisions of the Ethics in Government Act.  The Act imposes detailed requirements for public financial disclosure by senior United States Government officials.  The OGE Form 278e and the OGE Form 278-T are financial disclosure reports that request only as much information as the Act requires a filer to disclose."

Let's start by looking at Mr. Pompeo's employment assets and income and retirement accounts:

During 2018, Mr. Pompeo had no sources of income that exceeded $5,000 in that year.

Now, let's look at his Susan Pompeo's employment assets and income and retirement accounts:

Since the values are given in ranges, let's calculate the minimum and maximum values.  The minimum value totals $90,020 and the maximum value totals $475,000.

Here are the couple's other assets and income:

If we total their investment assets (excluding their whole life insurance policy), the Pompeo's have somewhere between $190,021 and $725,000.

During 2018, the Pompeo family sold their personal residence, paying their mortgage of between $500,001 and $1,000,000 in full.

During 2018, the Pompeo family did complete some transactions in their various accounts as follows:

We should also note that the family has two revocable family trusts that were established in January 2007.

With this data in mind, let's look at the wealthiest members of the Trump Cabinet:

1.) Betsy DeVos - Ms. DeVos' 2019 disclosure is extremely lengthy so I will just post a few pages that give you a sense of her net worth:

As you can see, a significant number of the DeVos family individual assets are worth more than the Pompeo family entire net worth.

2.) Wilbur Ross - Mr. Ross's 2018 disclosure has not been certified by the United States Office of Gvoernment Ethics because he reported that he had sold stock that he still held.  Nonetheless, the following screen captures will give you a sense of his net worth:

You will notice that the Ross family has over $50 million in cash on deposit with UBS and and additional $50 million in cash on deposit in a U.S. brokerage firm (undisclosed) plus millions of dollars in additional cash in other brokerage firms and an art collection worth more than $50 million as shown on this page:

It is also interesting to see that Mr. Ross owns/owned entities that are registered in both Cayman Islands and Luxembourg, two well-known tax havens as shown here:

According to an analysis by Forbes, Donald Trump's current cabinet consists of 17 millionaires, 2 centimillionaires and 1 billionaire worth a total of $3.2 billion.  This leaves only three members that are "poor", relatively speaking.  Here is a graphic showing the wealth data:

As the data in this posting shows, Mike Pompeo is, by a wide margin, far less wealthy than most of his cabinet counterparts.  His closest competitor is Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan who is worth a rather paltry $800,000 followed by Vice President Mike Pence who is worth $1 million thanks to the ultimate value of his state and federal pensions.  But, don't feel too sorry for Mr. Pompeo; like his predecessors at the State Department, he is likely to cash in on the speaking circuit after he departs from his current position as co-chief war hawk. 

Christians United for Israel - How the Republican Party is Rallying the Anti-Iran Forces

Updated September 2019

Washington's chief warrior, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Advisor John Bolton and Vice President Mike Pence recently found themselves sharing the podium at the annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) summit in Washington, D.C.  The attendance at this event by these three headlining gentlemen shows us how important Donald Trump values his pro-Israeli evangelical Christian base.  At this event, all three men gave rousing speeches that included comments on the ever present boogeyman in the room, Iran, the existential enemy of Israel.  In this posting, I will provide you with key excerpts from all three speeches, showing how Washington is playing into Israel's narrative of Iran.

Let's start with the Vice President.  Here is what Mike Pence had to say about Iran to his Israel-friendly Christian audience:

"And let me assure you, while any peace will undoubtedly require compromise, you can be confident of this: The United States of America will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel. (Applause.)

In the wake of all those actions, finally the President also made one other promise.  He promised to stand up to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror.  And he did just that when he withdrew the United States of America from the disastrous Iran nuclear deal. (Applause.)  There will be no more pallets of cash to the mullahs in Iran. (Applause.)

Now, Pastor Hagee mentioned that I served in the Congress of the United States.  I was on the Foreign Affairs Committee.  And back when I was in the Congress, there was actually a bipartisan group of members of Congress who brought together sanctions on Iran, years ago.  And those sanctions were isolating a regime that was — and bringing tremendous pressure on it.

But, in 2015, we all remember, when the Iran nuclear deal was signed, all of that pressure went away.

The previous administration’s so-called deal didn’t prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  It simply delayed it for roughly a decade.  In exchange, the deal gave away billions of dollars in cash and sanctions relief that Iran has used to fund more terrorist attacks on innocents across the region.

President Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, and we have re-imposed every last sanction that was lifted. (Applause.)

And under this President, we’ve implemented a maximum-pressure campaign to change Iran’s malign behavior and hold the regime accountable for its destructive actions.  It’s remarkable to think that, as we speak, our actions are already having an effect.  They’re cutting off the regime’s ability to support their terrorist minions across the Middle East.

The Iranian economy is reeling under unprecedented U.S. sanctions. And now — now Iran must choose between caring for its people and continuing to fund its proxies who spread violence and terrorism throughout the region and breathe out murderous hatred against Israel.

Over the last several months, despite promises and hopes to the contrary in 2015, Iran has been even increasing more of their malign activity and violence in the region.  We’ve all witnessed it.  Last month, Iran attacked tankers passing near the Strait of Hormuz, and they downed an unmanned American drone.

And last week, Iran exceeded the amount of low-enriched uranium it can have.  Today — today, it actually proclaimed it was going to start enriching uranium beyond the levels permitted by the agreement."

He then went on to discuss his trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau, reminding his audience that another holocaust could lie in wait, just around the corner, thanks to malign actors like Iran.

Now, let's look at what Mike Pompeo had to say.  Here is a video of his entire speech:

Here are some key excerpts:

"This administration has made a real effort to protect Christians and other threatened religious minorities in Iraq and elsewhere, and we’re making real progress.  (Applause.) The flame of existence of Christians must not be snuffed out.  Their unalienable rights – Christians’ unalienable rights in the Middle East – their right to worship must not be taken away.  (Applause.)

Persecution of the faithful is especially intense inside the Islamic Republic of Iran.  The regime’s militant adherence to the noxious tenets of the Islamic Revolution dictates all elements of life – and especially the suppression of other faiths.

In Iran, if Muslims try to convert non-Muslims, the penal code calls for a death sentence.

The government does not recognize converts to Christianity. It levies beatings and solitary confinement on Christians caught worshiping in violation of government dictates.

Last year, an Iranian court upheld a 10-year prison sentences on four Iranian Christians who were “acting against national security” by, quote, “promoting Zionist Christianity,” end of quote, and running house churches. This is something we know in America.

Instead, instead of following the normal summons procedure, authorities raided their homes, beat them, and used electroshock weapons on them. They then threw them into Evin Prison – a regime dungeon inside of Tehran.

Every day I pray, and I’d ask you too, to pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran – and not just for them, but people of all faiths who are persecuted there in Iran.  (Applause.)

I’m from Kansas, and there are – yeah, I love it, we’ve got Kansans out there.  I’m sure there’s more and you’re just quiet people.  (Laughter.)  A lot of people get spun up with the wrong ideas that American evangelicals want to impose a theocracy on America.  I wish they would be concerned about the real theocratic takeover that has been happening in Iran for the last four decades.  (Applause.)  The ayatollahs have grievously deprived the Iranian people of that most basic, simple, fundamental right, their right to worship.

That same twisted, intolerant doctrine that fuels persecution inside Iran has also led the ayatollah and his cronies to cry out, quote, “death to Israel” for four decades now.  This is similar to a cry that came out of Iran – then called Persia ‒ many, many years ago.  The Book of Esther teaches us about this.  It was in the 5th century B.C.  There was a wicked advisor named King Xerxes.  A fellow named Haman hatched a plot to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire.  He secretly wrote letters with the king’s seal to all the provincial governors, ordering the people to rise up and attack the Jews.  This edict, once issued, could not be revoked.  But thanks to the courageous intervention of Queen Esther, who begged the king to show mercy to her people, Haman’s plot was exposed and the Jews were ultimately spared.  Today this marks the Jewish holiday of Purim and it commemorates this amazing miracle. (Applause.)

I wanted to tell this story today for a couple of reasons, because similar threats to the Jewish people have marked other eras as well – think of the Roman devastation of Jerusalem, the vicious pogroms throughout European history, and the Holocaust.   The Jews have had a target on their back in every era of history. And as the Book of Ecclesiastes says, “There is [indeed] nothing new under the sun.”

But thank God.  Thank God we have a leader in President Trump – an immovable friend of Israel. (Applause.)  His commitment, his commitment – President Trump’s commitment is the strongest in history, and it’s been one of the best parts of my job to turn that commitment into real action.  (Applause.)

You know the stories, but we’ve implemented the strongest pressure campaign in history against the Iranian regime, and we are not done. (Applause.)

We’ve cut off billions in funds that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s leadership would have used for various nefarious purposes, not the least of which would have been their efforts to destroy the state of Israel.

It is also the case that under President Trump, the Israel haters such as Hamas and Hizballah and Islamic Jihad receive far less blood money from Iran to pursue their terrorism than ever in recent history.  (Applause.)"

While some of John Bolton's comments were cut off on this recording, here is a 20 minute-long video of his speech:

Here are some key excerpts:

"I am here to tell you today, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran is working. (Applause) A little over a year ago, our critics predicted we couldn’t do it. Our unilateral sanctions, they said, would not be effective. Since then, the United States has levied the toughest ever sanctions on the Iranian regime and Iran’s economy is, to quote the Financial Times, “collapsing under their weight.” (Applause)…

As I said earlier this year in Miami, under this administration no regime that chants “Death to America” or “Death to Israel” will get a deal from this administration. (Loud Applause) We will continue to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime until it abandons its nuclear program and ends its violent activities across the Middle East, including conducting and supporting terrorism around the world."

In case you haven't heard enough from the 2019 edition of CUFI, here is a three hour and forty-five minute video of some of the speeches given:

Since these three men represent America's Christian community, Israel's very best friends forever, let's close with this brief look at what the Bible has to say about the topic of peace.  Various forms of the word "peace" are used 429 times in the King James Version of the Bible.  One of the best known verses that invokes peace is found in Matthew 5:9 as follows:

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."  

Two other pertinent verses that invoke peace are found as follows:

"Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14

"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."  Romans 14:19

These three gentlemen who are being used to solidify the electoral support of America's Christian right seem to have forgotten that one of the key tenets of Christianity is the concept of peace.  Their "turning of plowshares into swords", particularly when it comes to Iran, stands in complete opposition to what they claim to believe in their religious lives.  That, to me, is a prime example of "Cafeteria Christianity" where one picks and chooses what they believe.

Mike Pence and the Certainty of War

A recent speech given to graduates at the United States Military Academy at West Point by United States Vice President Mike Pence gives us a very, very clear idea of where Washington believes America and the world is headed.  Here are some key excerpts from the speech that was posted on the White House website.

Here is his opener:

"Secretary Esper, General Milley, Lieutenant General Williams, Congressman Meadows, distinguished guests, faculty, and families: It is a great honor and deeply humbling for me to be here today, at the United States Military Academy, with the extraordinary men and women of West Point’s 221st graduating class, the Class of 2019. You made it!  (Applause.)

And it’s my honor to be here on behalf of a great champion of all those who wear the uniform of the United States.  So allow me to bring greetings and congratulations to the Class of 2091 (sic) from your Commander-in-Chief, the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump."

Yes indeed, the transcript on the White House webpage really did state that it was the Class of 2091 as shown on this screen capture:

Here is Mike Pence describing his own military experience:

"You know, it really is deeply humbling for me to stand before you today and see this sight and to be in this historic place.  You see, my life didn’t take me into the uniform of the United States.  But I’m the son of a soldier.  My dad, who is gone 30 years now, but he was a veteran of combat in the Korean War, and he was a member of the United States Army.

And as I stand before you today, here at West Point, I can’t help but think that First Lieutenant Edward J. Pence, looking down from glory, is finally impressed with his third son.  So thank you for the honor."

As part of a Washington-based leadership team that served no time in the United States military, let's look at the key and most alarming part of Mike Pence's speech.

"Men and women of West Point, no matter where you’re deployed, you will be the vanguard of freedom, and you know that the “soldier does not bear the sword in vain.”  The work you do has never been more important. America will always seek peace, but peace comes through strength.  And you are now that strength.  (Applause.)

It is a virtual certainty that you will fight on a battlefield for America at some point in your life.  You will lead soldiers in combat.  It will happen.

Some of you will join the fight against radical Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Some of you will join the fight on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific, where North Korea continues to threaten the peace, and an increasingly militarized China challenges our presence in the region.  Some of you will join the fight in Europe, where an aggressive Russia seeks to redraw international boundaries by force.  And some of you may even be called upon to serve in this hemisphere.

And when that day comes, I know you will move to the sound of the guns and do your duty, and you will fight, and you will win.  The American people expect nothing less." (my bolds)

And we all know how many wars the Americans have won since the end of the Second World War, don't we.

Let's close with his praise for his "boss":

"When you came here, the world was a dangerous place, and it still is.  But I’m pleased to report to you reinforcements that, thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, you’re joining an Army that’s better equipped, better trained, and better supplied than any United States Army in the history of this country.  (Applause.) It’s true.

In the last two years, we’ve taken decisive action to rebuild our military and restore the arsenal of democracy.

This President has actually signed into law the largest investment in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan.

And as you accept the mantle of leadership, I promise you: Your Commander-in-Chief will always have your back.  President Donald Trump is the best friend the men and women of our armed forces will ever have! 

Proving that, just a few months ago, your Commander-in-Chief proposed the largest defense budget in American history: $750 billion to ensure the strongest fighting force in the history of the world becomes stronger still.  We fund an end strength of more than 2 million active and reserved military personnel.  We’ll modernize w armored brigade combat teams, and we’ll also provide resources for 12 battle force ships, 2 large unmanned surface ships, and 110 fighter aircraft.

And with that renewed American strength, the United States is once again embracing our role as leader of the free world.  We’re standing with our allies and standing up to our enemies." (my bold)

It must be somewhat comforting to know that, given the certainty of war, the current Commander-in-Chief has the best interests of those Americans who are willing to lay their lives on the line for their homeland at heart and that the Trump Administration has taken steps to "restore the arsenal of democracy", that is, democracy "American Style".  On the upside, the certainty of war is exactly what America's defense contractors love to hear.

So much for that "born again Christian" peace-waging.

Impeaching Trump and America Under a President Pence

Updated October 2019

While I have posted on this subject before the 2016 election, in this time where it appears that Washington (including both the Democrats and at least some Republicans) along with the mainstream media are doing everything in their power to get rid of Donald Trump, I thought it would be prudent to revisit the belief system of the man that will replace him, Vice President Mike Pence, a man who garners almost no press coverage.

Thanks to the internet which never forgets anything, we can see what Mr. Pence had to say about key issues during his tenure in Congress and as Governor of Indiana.  The website, On The Issues, provides us with a complete listing of every vote that Mike Pence took part in while in Congress as well as what he had to say about key issues during his tenure in government prior to entering the White House.

As a bit of background and to help you put the dates into context, between January 3, 2001 and January 3, 2011, Mike Pence served as a Republican Representative in the House of Representatives from Indiana's second and sixth districts.  From January 14, 2013 to January 9, 2017, he served as Governor of Indiana.

Here is a summary of his voting record on seven key issues that provide us with a snapshot of Mike Pence's political leanings:

1.) Budget and the Economy:

  

In 2011, he was one of the co-sponsors of House Joint Resolution 2 which proposed a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States as shown here.

As governor of Indiana, he also was in favour of adding an amendment to the Indiana state Constitution that would require a balanced budget as shown in this excerpt from a "state of the state" speech he gave on January 13, 2015:

"Remarkably, Indiana is one of the few states in the country that does not have a balanced budget requirement in its constitution. It is a tribute to the public servants in this room that Indiana has adhered to that practice in recent years even though it is not required.

A balanced budget requirement in the Constitution will assure Hoosiers that today and tomorrow Indiana will spend wisely, protect our state from an economic downturn, and unlike Washington, D.C., we won’t bury our children and grandchildren under mountains of debt.

I commend Senator David Long for his leadership on a federal balanced budget amendment. I call on this General Assembly to begin the process of adding a balanced budget amendment to the Indiana Constitution in this session and send this historic reform to the people of Indiana."

2.) Civil Rights:

Note that he was in favour of making the highly invasive PATRIOT Act permanent.  We will learn more about his stance on state-related privacy issues later in this posting.

3.) Energy and Oil:

Three words - "Drill Baby Drill.

Here are some quotes that clearly show his thoughts on climate change back in 2008:

"I would not agree that there is broad consensus on man-made or human activity being the proximate cause of global warming. I think there is more diversity of opinion among many scientists in this area of discipline than most people realize. I don't  think global warming as caused by human activity is a settled question in the scientific community."

"Claims of catastrophic consequences in global warming are not reflective of the majority of the opinions even among IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scientists … "

4.) Free Trade:

Given that Mr. Pence hails from a state in the industrial heartland (now the Rust Belt), it's not terribly surprising that his views on trade lean heavily to the freer trade side of the spectrum, a stance that is in very sharp contrast to his current boss.  In fact, his stance is so contrary to that of the President's, it's a wonder that he was selected as Vice President!

5.) Health Care:

In 2010, he was in favour of deauthorizing funding for Obamacare and wanted the law repealed.

6.) Immigration:

He was ahead of his time when it came to promoting the Mexican border fence!

Mr. Pence also stated that he wished to declare English as the official language of the United States in 2007 and that "anchor babies" would not automatically be granted Birthright Citizenship, co-sponsoring H.R. 1868 (the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009) which considered a person a citizen only if they were born to a parent who was a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident and an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

7.) Homeland Security:

Obviously, under a Pence presidency, those of us that are concerned about personal privacy should expect the highly invasive state-based intelligence snooping status quo to continue.

As history has shown us, United States presidents don't always get to impose their personal beliefs on the nation as a whole, particularly when those beliefs contrast with the agenda of the "Deep State" (for lack of a better term), however, as the Trump presidency has shown us, the president's belief system can, at the very least, throw the nation into turmoil, angering at least half of the voting public. From the information in this posting, it would look like a President Pence would do little to undo the political polarization that America has experienced over the past two decades since his voting record suggests that he leans rather heavily to the right side of the political spectrum.