Name: Never Give an Inch
Rating: 3.8 (46 reviews)
Author: Mike Pompeo

What’s in it for me? The inside scoop from a Secretary of State.

During Trump’s presidency, it sometimes seemed that Mike Pompeo was getting nearly as much media attention as the president himself.

As Secretary of State, Pompeo was already in the spotlight. And he was very vocal about his views, whether he was supporting Trump, expressing his personal and political opinions, or criticizing the countries he perceived as America’s enemies.

Pompeo remains an active member of the Republican Party, and he’s widely expected to run for President in the future. So this seems like the ideal moment for him to reflect on his career so far.

It’s also an opportunity to set the record straight, regarding certain controversial decisions. Before you side with left-wing commentators, you might want to consider his side of the story.

In this Blink, we’ll look at some key events from Pompeo’s career, focusing on US relationships with foreign governments – in particular, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China.

But before we examine his diplomatic dealings with foreign leaders, let’s get a sense of who Pompeo is as a person. What makes him tick?

Mike Pompeo considers himself a patriot, a risk-taker, and a “pipehitter.”

As Secretary of State, Pompeo had a mission – to keep his country safe. And that meant putting America first.

As you may remember, this was President Trump’s mantra while campaigning – “America First.”

It’s a phrase that Pompeo never tires of hearing.

He’s always believed that America is the greatest nation in the world – a country where anybody can rise to the top through hard work, regardless of their background.

Pompeo was one of these grinders. He graduated first in his class at West Point Military Academy, and got a degree from Harvard Law School. Later, he became Director of the CIA, and in 2018, Secretary of State under President Trump.

Pompeo admired Trump’s patriotism, and his bold assertion of American sovereignty in foreign policy.

At last, there was a president who put America first.

Sometimes that required cracking down on illegal immigration. On other occasions, it involved getting out of harmful international deals. For instance, the Paris Agreement would have damaged the US economy. So Trump did what was best for his country.

Pompeo took a similar approach in his own decision-making. But inevitably, putting America first sometimes means taking risks. The world is a dangerous place.

In his diplomatic career, Pompeo has handled some uniquely challenging situations, such as trying to achieve the total denuclearization of North Korea.

He’s also risked his personal safety, making enemies in Russia, China, and Iran. When he goes to the supermarket, he has to be accompanied by his security team.

Nonetheless, Pompeo has no regrets. Facing danger is part of the job. And besides, he’s a risk-taker by nature.

When he was assembling his team at the CIA, and later in the State Department, Pompeo looked for people like him, who were willing to embrace risk.

He also wanted “pipehitters” in his team. A pipehitter is someone who’s focused on winning and excellence, and who doesn’t avoid necessary fights. When you’re responsible for protecting more than 330 million Americans, you have to be a pipehitter.

When it comes to the things that really matter – like fighting for the country he loves – Pompeo never gives an inch.

Pompeo’s Christian beliefs have had a profound influence on his career.

The same thing goes for his religious beliefs. As an evangelical Christian, Pompeo is committed to defending religious freedom, both in the US and abroad.

He’s often been criticized for this. Some people think it’s inappropriate for a politician to talk so openly about his Christian beliefs.

US relations with Russia demonstrate the importance of “peace through strength.”

As Pompeo reflects on this mean, nasty world we live in, another example comes to mind – Putin.

Vladimir Putin is a dangerous man. He sees the West as an obstacle to his goal of reviving the Russian empire. As long as Putin and his thugs remain in power, Russia is a threat.

Final Summary

Pompeo knows he has his detractors – particularly in the left-wing media – but it doesn’t bother him. As the letter from the parents of Tristan Pompeo Chu shows, there are also those who agree with him, and who appreciate his outspokenness and determination.

Overall, Pompeo is proud of his achievements as Secretary of State. He acted according to his deeply held values of Christianity and patriotism, putting America first.

Key ideas in Never Give an Inch

What is Never Give an Inch about?

Never Give an Inch (2022) gives insight into US foreign policy during the Trump administration. Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, outlines his personal beliefs, candidly discusses his views on international politics, and reflects on challenges and successes from his time in the State Department.