Plans to have Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participate in a Republican Party campaign ad while in Israel were scrapped, according to a report.
A story posted in The Times of Israel attributed details to a report from Channel 12 news in Israel.
The newspaper said the plans were scrapped in the wake of criticism surrounding Pompeo’s speech from Jerusalem to the Republican National Convention.
It noted Channel 12 news said the plans had called for the Pompeo ad to target any person in Israel, who is eligible to vote in the U.S. election.
Republicans Overseas Israel responded to the report, saying “There is and has not been a reason to prevent, in our view, the democratic and important activities for the election of President (Donald) Trump and Vice President (Mike) Pence for another term.
Joe Biden's campaign had slammed Pompeo for his convention speech.
Biden's deputy campaign manager and communications director said it was inappropriate for Pompeo to make an appearance at a political event. Pompeo had been in Israel on an official trip as America's top diplomat.
"Secretary Pompeo's decision to address the Republican Convention from Jerusalem isn't just an abuse of taxpayer dollars, it undermines the critical work being done by the State Department," said Kate Bedingfield.
Meanwhile, Rep. Joaquin Castro D-Texas, vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he would investigate whether Pompeo’s speech violated the Hatch Act, a law designed to separate government from political activity.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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