Washington, DC – The following is a reaction from Scott Simpson, public advocacy director at Muslim Advocates, regarding President Donald Trump’s announcement today that Mike Pompeo will replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state:

“Mike Pompeo has made a career of bigotry and hate. This announcement should concern every congressmember and American who values religious freedom.

Pompeo has:

• Accused American Muslim leaders of being “potentially complicit” after the Boston Marathon terrorist attack;
• Sponsored a Capitol Hill legislative briefing from ACT for America, the nation’s largest anti-Muslim hate group;
• Received the “highest honor” award from ACT for America;
• Claimed that Muslims “abhor Christians…and will continue to press against us until we make sure that we pray and stand and fight”; and
• Advocated to halt refugee resettlement.

This not a man who can be trusted in the cabinet, and we urge members of the Senate to speak up against this announcement.”

Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.