![]() ![]() “He has stated that Muslims are quote, ‘contentiously complicit in acts of terrorism if they don’t condemn it,’” Udall said. Tom Udall (D-N.M), who voted no, questioned Pompeo’s “troubling” opinions on Muslims. “I have also been reassured by the multiple responses he has made under oath to comply with the law banning torture,” he added. “I have received his assurances that he will accurately represent the unvarnished views of the analysts who work there, no matter what the president or others may want to hear, and that he will cooperate with Congress, particularly as we look into Russia’s efforts to interfere with our election system. Mark Warner of Virginia, the vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee. “While I do not agree with some of the views he has expressed, Congressman Pompeo has impressed me with his respect for the dedication and impartiality of the intelligence professionals at the CIA,” said Sen. Some Democrats who backed Pompeo’s nomination also expressed concerns. Wyden continued: “His changing positions on all of these matters suggest that the rare moment when the American people actually have an opportunity to know who it is we are entrusting with some of the most important, weighty and secret positions in government, they’re going to be denied that chance.” ![]() “I see virtually no commitment towards real transparency and his views on the most fundamental analysis issue of the day - the involvement of Russia in our election - seem to shift with those of the president. “His positions on surveillance have failed to recognize that it’s possible to have security and liberty,” Wyden said. Wyden repeatedly raised alarms about Pompeo’s support for an intelligence database that would collect a broad array of information on Americans, including financial data and social media postings. ![]() Time and time again the nominee has taken multiple positions on the same issue which is why I’ve given him a number of opportunities to explain where he stands, but … that has been impossible.” “We need a CIA director who is direct about his beliefs and his assessments. ![]() “We are headed into dangerous times,” Wyden said. Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden, speaking for more than an hour, repeatedly questioned Pompeo’s confirmation hearing answers, both spoken and written, as well as his true stance on torture and how he plans to run the CIA. The debate over Pompeo’s nomination also laid bare some of the key flashpoints in Congress over the role of the intelligence community in domestic surveillance and his expressed views on Islam. Trump has dismissed those findings and launched several public broadsides against the intelligence community but over the weekend sought to mend fences with a visit to CIA headquarters. The Kansas Republican and member of the House Intelligence Committee takes over amid an unusually public fight between the agency and President Donald Trump over intelligence pointing to Russian attempts to influence the election by hacking the emails of leading Democratic Party organizations and officials. “The president and I are confident in your abilities and know you will rise to the challenge to lead the Central Intelligence Agency,” Vice President Mike Pence said at the swearing-in. ![]()
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