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Last Updated on November 30, 2017.

 
WASHINGTON — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement regarding news that the White House wants to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, and replace Pompeo with Sen. Tom Cotton:
Donald Trump has proven once again that chaos theory guides his governing philosophy, as less than a year into his administration, he reportedly plans to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, whom he’ll then replace with Sen. Tom Cotton.
It’s clearer now more than ever that Donald Trump has little interest in putting diplomacy first in U.S. foreign policy. What’s worse is that these moves will make more war more likely — particularly with Iran.
Cotton’s elevation as head of the CIA should worry all Americans, as he has, for example,  been a long time advocate for military action against Iran and regime change in Tehran, supports the use of torture, called for journalists to be arrested and prosecuted for reporting stories he disagrees with, and peddles false claims like Iraq was involved in the 9/11 terror attacks.
At the same time, Pompeo is even less qualified to become our nation’s top diplomat than he was CIA Director, given he has also been a proponent of torture, denied climate science, promoted anti-Muslim views, opposed the Iran nuclear deal, and is currently working with other Trump administration officials to build a case for war against Iran.
Pompeo working side-by-side with Tom Cotton is a dangerous formula for U.S. and international security and will further isolate the United States within the global community. Should both men ultimately be nominated, we will work tirelessly to oppose their confirmation. America’s security is too important to be trusted to war-hungry ideologues.
 

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November 30, 2017