In a significant escalation of tensions, outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that the United States has determined China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghur Muslims and other minority groups. This announcement, made in an exclusive interview with John Roberts on Fox News, marks a sharp condemnation of Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang.
Speaking to John Roberts shortly after releasing an official statement, Secretary Pompeo stated, “I have determined that the People’s Republic of China, under the direction and control of the Chinese Communist Party, has committed genocide and crimes against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups.”
Roberts acknowledged the gravity of the accusation and noted the potential for strong opposition from China, as well as the contrast with previous positions.
Pompeo emphasized the extensive work undertaken by the Trump administration on this issue. “This is a very serious and tragic set of actions,” he explained, detailing the administration’s previous measures, including sanctions and warnings to businesses about forced labor in the region. He highlighted the horrific nature of the abuses, stating, “This is forced labor. This is forced sterilizations, forced abortions – John, the kind of things that we haven’t seen in an awfully long time in this world.”
He further elaborated that the genocide determination followed an “exhaustive review of the facts,” concluding that the Chinese Communist Party seeks to eliminate the distinct ethnic and religious identities of Uyghurs and other groups. Pompeo described the situation as “the stain of the century,” emphasizing the administration’s commitment to pressuring China to end these human rights violations.
John Roberts pointed out the widespread bipartisan support for this designation, referencing President-elect Biden’s previous statements and Republican lawmakers’ reactions. He also raised the question of timing, quoting Senator Ben Sasse’s “What took so long?”
Pompeo responded by acknowledging the critique but stressed the necessity of thoroughness and accuracy. “When you do something like this, you have to be right,” he asserted, highlighting the extensive intergovernmental discussions, consultations with international bodies, and reliance on evidence from NGOs, journalists, and other governments. He affirmed the decision was made with the aim of improving the lives of those affected.
Transitioning to the upcoming Biden administration, John Roberts referenced an exclusive foxnews.com interview with counterintelligence chief Bill Evanina, who emphasized the scale of Chinese threats within the US. Roberts quoted Evanina’s call to “educate America” about “malign influence” and questioned whether the incoming administration is prepared to handle these challenges, recalling President-elect Biden’s seemingly dismissive remarks about China.
Secretary Pompeo expressed confidence in the Biden administration’s capacity to address the threat from the Chinese Communist Party. “John, I’m counting on it. More importantly, the American people are counting on it,” he stated. He underscored the Trump administration’s efforts to identify and confront this risk across various domains, from trade to espionage. Pompeo stressed the existential nature of the threat and the necessity for continued action to protect American freedoms, expressing his belief that the American public understands the challenge and will demand ongoing vigilance from leaders of all political affiliations.
Turning to Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State, John Roberts cited Blinken’s emphasis on “humility and confidence” in American leadership from his upcoming confirmation hearing. Critics, Roberts noted, interpreted this as a return to Obama-era foreign policy, questioning if it signaled an “apology tour.”
Pompeo firmly rejected this notion, stating, “Boy, I sure hope not, John. I’m proud of this country.” He defended America’s exceptionalism and the Trump administration’s foreign policy achievements, particularly in the Middle East and concerning China. He asserted that the US should not apologize for its greatness and its efforts to improve lives globally, specifically mentioning the administrations work related to Iran and North Korea.
John Roberts concluded the interview, thanking Secretary Pompeo and wishing him well. Pompeo reciprocated, expressing his gratitude and bidding farewell.
