MIKE POMPEO/MILITARY/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Two of the Trump administration’s most senior national security officials go before lawmakers Thursday [4-12-18] in the midst of high-level U.S. planning for a possible military strike against Syria in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack. Secretary of State-nominee Mike Pompeo faces the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing. Currently the Central Intelligence Agency director, Mr. Pompeo would become the nation’s top diplomat after the Senate votes to approve his nomination. In remarks prepared for his confirmation hearing, Mr. Pompeo vowed to empower State Department employees and address the ‘demoralizing’ problem of unfilled jobs at the agency.”
– Michael R. Gordon, “Lawmakers to Hear From Pompeo, Mattis in Midst of Syria Crisis,” The Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2018 5:30 am