OnPolitics Today: I am to be the Secretary of State. Great!

Posted by Anonymous on April 27, 2018

with Jessica Estepa

In this handout provided by The White House, CIA director

What a Thursday it has been, OP fam, and it's not even over yet. We've got a new Cabinet secretary. We've lost a Cabinet secretary nominee. And we've looked at photo after photo after photo of children being adorable on Take Your Kids to Work Day.

As is always the case, there's probably more to come, so keep up with the latest, subscribe here and let's get to it.

Hi, Mike

Say hello to your new secretary of State. The Senate on Thursday confirmed CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be the next top diplomat for the United States.

Pompeo, already off on his first trip as secretary, said he was "humbled by the responsibility."

Trump applauded the Senate's confirmation of Pompeo, saying, "Having a patriot of Mike's immense talent, energy, and intellect leading the Department of State will be an incredible asset for our country at this critical time in history."

Bonus: Shortly after he was sworn-in, the White House released photos of Pompeo's clandestine meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and they're exactly what you would expect.

Bye, Ronny

One person who won't be joining the Cabinet any time soon (and, honestly, probably ever): presidential doctor Ronny Jackson. On Thursday, Jackson withdrew his name from consideration to be the next Veterans Affairs secretary, amid allegations that he had improperly doled out opioids, drank on the job and fostered a hostile work environment.

"Unfortunately, because of how Washington works, these false allegations have become a distraction for this President and the important issue we must be addressing - how we give the best care to our nation's heroes," he said in a statement.

It isn't good news for the department, but Jackson at least gets to keep his current job.

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