Mike Pompeo goes after Democrats in SC Republican Party speech, but stays mum on 2024 [View all]

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo touted successes of the Trump administration while taking jabs at the Biden administration in a 23-minute speech where he called himself former President Donald Trump’s most loyal Cabinet member.

The potential 2024 presidential candidate was the keynote speaker Friday at the South Carolina’s Republican Party’s Silver Elephant gala attended by more than 900 people in what organizers said was the Columbia Convention Center’s first full capacity event. No masks or social distancing was required.

Pompeo’s speech touched on the Trump administration’s Middle East policies, including support for Israel, how it dealt with Iran, North Korea and the shared border with Mexico.

Pompeo’s remarks received applause from a crowd in the state that holds the first-in-the-South presidential primary, where early visits can be key to gain support.

Pompeo’s visit to Columbia included a news conference at the South Carolina Republican Party’s headquarters to endorse Gov. Henry McMaster’s reelection campaign as well as a meeting with GOP activists.

Read more: https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article253127838.html