#Mike Pompeo reportedly to address RNC from Jerusalem

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday from an “undisclosed location” in Israel, according to a report by Axios on Monday.

The nation’s top diplomat will be in Jerusalem representing the United States in its ongoing efforts to establish more Arab-Israeli connections following the deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations.

Pompeo’s speaking to a political gathering has upended decades of precedent of secretaries of state avoiding political events and raised questions about whether American taxpayers are on the hook for a campaign speech at a national convention.

Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said the GOP will pick up the tab for all convention events.

She was asked during an appearance Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” by host Margaret Brennan whether taxpayers would be reimbursed.

“I can only tell you, Margaret, that the events that we’ve put forward from the RNC and the campaign are going to be paid for by the convention from the RNC and the campaign,” McDaniel said.

“Everything that we’ve put together has changed because of COVID. The president rightly said we’re going to leave Jacksonville because we don’t want to have resources taken away from a city that’s dealing with a pandemic. And he brought it back to the White House, which is his residence,” she continued.

Brennan asked McDaniel whether she’s confirming that Pompeo’s trip will be reimbursed by the campaign.

“I am not confirming anything having to do with Secretary Pompeo’s trip. I am just saying the programming, the staging, everything that we’re doing will be paid for by the Republican National Committee and the campaign,” McDaniel responded.

Critics of the president have questioned whether Trump is violating the Hatch Act by accepting the Republican presidential nomination in a speech from the White House on Thursday.

But the White House’s Office of Special Counsel has said that Trump is not covered by the Hatch Act, although other West Wing staffers are.

First Lady Melania Trump is expected to address the convention from the White House on Tuesday.