Former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will in all probability run for president.

Individuals name him a “staunch conservative.”

In our prolonged interview, I give him a tough time about that.

“Conservative” as soon as meant selling restricted authorities. However currently Republicans push new laws and drive up America’s debt by spending extra.

Pompeo shocked me by agreeing that, underneath Donald Trump, Republicans spent an excessive amount of. He shocked me once more by saying that entitlements have to be reduce and that we don’t have to spend extra on our navy. That was refreshing.

Then we talked in regards to the border.

“Immigrants made America,” I level out.

“I’m an immigrant,” Pompeo responds. “My ancestors got here by a authorized course of. That is the distinction.”

However at present, I level out, the “authorized course of” for an bold one who needs to work is almost inconceivable. “You would possibly  get in after ready 12 years!”

“Regardless of the guidelines … you bought to implement it,” Pompeo responds.

“Shouldn’t we alter the foundations?” I ask.

“I truly assume it’s time to take a break,” says Pompeo. As we speak, folks apply for asylum after which keep till their request is accepted or denied. When Pompeo was secretary of state, he says he informed Mexican officers, “You’re not going to have these folks touring in caravans by your nation. We’re sending them again to you.”

President Joe Biden reversed that coverage. “Now you can see 4 million unlawful immigrants in simply 24 months,” says Pompeo. “This can basically change the character of our nation … medicine got here throughout our borders. There’s not a lot distinction between a cartel chief and a jihad chief.”

“Why not legalize medicine?” I ask. “Then cartel leaders wouldn’t exist!”

“It’s a horrible thought,” Pompeo responds. “You see the decimation that we have now from our drug tradition at present.”

“That’s as a result of it’s unlawful!” I push again.

“It’s not,” responds Pompeo. “There’s an excessive amount of product out there. Household establishments are starting to fray in methods which might be basically harmful to america.”

His reply is mindless. Households fray, and medicines are shipped regardless of our drug battle. The battle creates a black market that causes crime. There aren’t any alcohol “cartels,” solely as a result of we ended Prohibition.

However I received’t persuade Pompeo. Otherwise you, in all probability.

I ask Pompeo why America wants 54,000 troops in Japan and 36,000 in Germany. “We received these wars! Now these nations ought to defend themselves.”

Xi Jinping is the “singular best menace within the historical past of our nation,” says Pompeo. If we carry all of the troops dwelling, that can “put the American folks at huge danger.”

Pompeo calls Edward Snowden “a traitor” who must be executed. Snowden stole paperwork from the Nationwide Safety Company that confirmed how our authorities illegally spied on Individuals.

I name Snowden a hero for risking his freedom and profession to disclose the reality.

Pompeo says secrets and techniques Snowden revealed endangered Individuals. However our spies typically exaggerate their significance. As an example, the NSA claimed its mass surveillance stopped 54 terrorist assaults. Then the quantity dropped to seven. Then authorities opinions concluded that mass surveillance didn’t cease a single assault.

“You may’t simply steal American secrets and techniques,” says Pompeo. “In case you discover one thing unlawful, there’s a course of to right it.”

However individuals who used that course of had their properties raided — their careers ended. I perceive why Snowden sneaked in another country.

One other space the place Pompeo and I disagree is Trump’s tariffs.

“Tariffs primarily punish the American client,” I level out. Tariffs make items costlier.

“Tariffs are a really blunt instrument,” acknowledges Pompeo, however they “resolve a really actual problem. How is it you stop an adversarial nation from screwing you of their commerce relationships?”

The Chinese language do cheat. They steal mental property. However tariffs haven’t stopped that. The Chinese language additionally foolishly subsidize some industries. However so can we!

Free commerce advantages everybody. That’s one cause I’m a libertarian.

Pompeo does wish to reduce authorities. Why isn’t he a libertarian?

“I grew up libertarian,” he says. “The thought of much less authorities energy being higher for the American folks is one thing that may be very close to and pricey to my coronary heart.”