2020 ELECTION/MIKE POMPEO/SECRETARY OF STATE/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Secretary of State Mike Pompeo battled reporters over President Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the presidential election, predicting ‘there will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration’ despite the fact that former Vice President Joe Biden is the projected winner of the race.
The comment from Pompeo, a top ally of the president, came during a combative news conference at the State Department on Tuesday when the Cabinet member was asked whether the agency is prepared to engage with Biden’s transition team.
‘There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration,’ Pompeo replied.
‘We’re ready,’ Pompeo continued. ‘The world is watching what’s taking place. We’re gonna count all the votes. When the process is complete, there’ll be electors selected. There’s a process. The Constitution lays it out pretty clearly. The world should have every confidence that the transition necessary to make sure that the State Department is functional today … and successful with a president who’s in office on Jan. 20, a minute after noon, will also be successful.’
Pompeo appeared to smirk after delivering the line about a ‘second Trump administration,’ though it was unclear from his remarks themselves whether he was joking.”
-Rebecca Kheel, “Pompeo on election results: ‘There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration,'” thehill.com, Nov. 10, 2020