Current Secretary of State Speaks... Controversy Surrounds US Republican National Convention Day After Day

Pompeo Delivers Virtual Support Speech in Israel... Violates 'Civil Servants' Political Participation Ban'
House Investigation Launched... Subcommittee Chair Criticizes as "Very Strange and Unprecedented"
First Lady, Second Son, and Second Daughter Also Give Consecutive Endorsement Speeches... Turns into a Family Event

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Republican National Convention, now in its second day, has been embroiled in controversy even before the event began. The lineup of speakers includes President Donald Trump's family members and government officials, drawing criticism. Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, who sparked controversy by delivering a supportive speech while in office, is now facing a congressional investigation.

According to local media such as The New York Times (NYT) on the 25th (local time), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is visiting Israel, will deliver a speech supporting President Trump via video link. The NYT predicted that Pompeo would highlight the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates?one of Trump's few foreign policy achievements?in his speech.

However, media attention on Pompeo focuses more on the act of delivering the speech rather than its content. It is unprecedented for a U.S. Secretary of State to speak at a party convention, and it is alleged that Pompeo violated legal regulations prohibiting government officials from engaging in political activities. The NYT reported, "According to the State Department guidance from December 2019, employees are not permitted to speak on behalf of partisan candidates, parties, or partisan groups." NBC also reported that Pompeo's decision has drawn criticism among U.S. diplomats, who are prohibited from political involvement.

Congress has launched an investigation into Secretary Pompeo's speech. Joaquin Castro, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, warned in a letter sent to Deputy Secretary of State Steve Biegun that "Pompeo's speech may violate the Hatch Act." The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while in office. Castro added, "(Pompeo's speech is) very unusual and unprecedented."

Particularly controversial is Pompeo's claim that he is speaking in a personal capacity to explain his speech. Pompeo announced the speech on his personal Twitter account in addition to his official Twitter. A State Department official also stated, "Pompeo said he would speak at the convention in a personal capacity."

Regarding this, the NYT refuted Pompeo's statement by citing not only the State Department's official guidelines but also a telegram Pompeo himself sent to staff stating, "Partisan activities are prohibited even during employees' personal time."

Some media outlets have evaluated that Pompeo bet that the political gains would outweigh the losses even if he broke State Department conventions.

Besides Pompeo, the lineup of speakers includes First Lady Melania Trump, as well as the President's son Eric Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump. Melania delivered her speech in the newly renovated and controversial White House Rose Garden. Peter Navarro, Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, defended her in an interview with MSNBC, saying, "Melania is a beautiful and elegant modern-day Jacqueline Kennedy," and "She will probably deliver a strong message to the American people."

Among the convention speakers was also a high school student, attracting attention. Nicholas Sandmann was previously embroiled in controversy earlier this year when he was seen wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, President Trump's previous campaign slogan, while facing Native American activists, leading to accusations of white supremacy. At the time, President Trump mentioned Sandmann, encouraging him by saying, "Take them down, Nick. Fake news!"

President Trump, who took the stage in person on the first day of the convention, appeared via video on this day. He staged a surprise show displaying the pardon of John Fonder, the founder of the nonprofit organization "Hope for Prisoners," who was convicted of bank robbery. U.S. media reported that this is the first pardon granted during the convention.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.