Michiana reacts to shakeups in Trump administration
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Another stunning departure at the White House. This time, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is out.
Mike Pompeo, the CIA Director, is now in.
Deputy CIA Director Gina Haspel is to become the first female director to run the agency.
All of this information, was trumpeted throughout the country, via a Tweet, from President Donald Trump Tuesdya morning.
Representative Luke Messer, from Indiana's 6th District weighed in.
He says,"Mike Pompeo will be an excellent Secretary of State. Mike has the background, experience and tenacity needed for this important role. I’m proud to call Mike a good friend and I commend President Trump for this choice. I urge the U.S. Senate to quickly confirm him."
But some, don't think this shakeup will be much of a difference.
Michael Desch, the Director for the University of Notre Dame's International Security Center, doesn't think it'll be too much of a difference.
He tells ABC57, "in the Trump administration, diplomacy is going to be conducted out of the Oval Office via Tweet, not through Foggy Bottom."
What Desch does think is a big deal, is the nomination of Haspel as the director of the CIA.
"The President has made history by appointing the first female director. On the other hand, Haspel is a bit tarred by the interrogation scandal at the CIA," he explains. "So I think the historic element of the appointment may be a bit overshadowed by her involvement in one of the most controversial and damaging revelations in the CIA in recent years."
That scandal included an investigation of waterboarding as an interrogation technique.
Haspel spent over three decades working for the CIA, and has held some high-level positions, and has received some honorable awards.
U.S. Senator Todd Young tells ABC57 he approves of these decisions.
He says, "As our nation confronts a complex and growing array of international challenges, I look forward to considering his nomination to serve as Secretary of State and the nomination of Gina Haspel to serve as the first female Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I would also like to thank Rex Tillerson for his distinguished service to our country, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Former Indiana Senator, Dan Coats, has also come out in support of Haspel, saying she is a strong choice to lead the CIA.
However, some like U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, are hesitant with her appointment, and need a little extra time
“I will carefully review the records of Mr. Pompeo and Ms. Haspel. This is a critical time for our country’s foreign policy, particularly as we continue to confront serious threats around the world, including North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs," says Donnelly in a statement.
Both Haspel and Pompeo still need to get through their confirmation hearings.