Senators were mindful of the need to get Mr. Pompeo in place, given the crush of work facing him. For Democrats who will be on the ballot in Trump states, a vote against Mr. Pompeo could have exposed them to attacks from the Republicans, including Mr. Trump, eager to label them obstructionists. Mr. Pompeo also managed to avoid what would have been an embarrassing rebuke on his way into the new post, as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had seemed likely to not recommend his confirmation. PhotoAs secretary of state, Mr. Pompeo will also have to navigate the rivalries within the Trump administration. Mr. Pompeo was once a voluble member of the Republican chorus opposing the pact.

Source: New York Times April 26, 2018 16:51 UTC