Report: Mike Pompeo hosted taxpayer-funded 'Madison Dinners' with Republicans, Fox hosts

WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hosted about two dozen elite dinners at the State Department funded by taxpayer dollars since 2018, according to an NBC News report.

The events, dubbed "Madison Dinners," were held until the coronavirus pandemic necessitated social distancing and took place at the State Department, NBC reported. The outlet obtained a database of hundreds of invitees, who included Republican lawmakers, conservative media figures and billionaire CEOs, along with a number of diplomats and foreign officials.

House Democrats on the Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees sent a letter to Pompeo on Thursday asking him to turn over documents related to the dinners, including guest lists, invoices and any ethics guidance Pompeo may have sought.

Late last week, President Donald Trump fired the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick, citing what he said was a loss of confidence. Pompeo confirmed the firing was at his request to the president, prompting concern from lawmakers that Linick was fired as retaliation for investigations he was involved in. Pompeo has denied this, and said he was unaware of any investigations, including into his alleged use of a staffer to perform personal errands.

Inspector general out: Trump administration's firing of watchdog designed to protect Secretary Pompeo, Democrats say

In their letter, Reps. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., Elliot Engel, D-N.Y., Gerald Connolly, D-Va., and Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, urged Pompeo to advise Trump to halt Linick's termination. They also noted that Linick may have made an inquiry about the dinners that Pompeo's office was aware of according to administration officials, referencing NBC's reporting.

The subcommittee chairs wrote in the letter they are "concerned about a new media report this week that describes a series of lavish dinners that you have been hosting with prominent Republican officials, commentators, and public figures – all at taxpayer expense."

The dinners are "a world-class opportunity to discuss the mission of the State Department and the complex foreign policy matters facing our exceptional nation," according to State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus in a statement to NBC.

Ortagus said Pompeo "has benefited greatly from these gatherings as he has gained knowledge listening to his guests from all across the political spectrum and all around the world."

'Simply not possible': Mike Pompeo says he had no knowledge State Department IG was investigating him, firing was not retaliation

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele told NBC these kinds of dinners aren't unusual and said, "There's no big deal there."

But State Department officials quoted anonymously by NBC expressed some concern that these dinners may go beyond foreign relations-building and venture into helping Pompeo's political ambitions. Pompeo has declined to run for a Senate seat in Kansas despite urging from GOP leaders, and he could be a Republican contender for the White House after Trump leaves office.

"State Department regulations prohibit the use of Diplomatic Reception Rooms for functions 'that have a partisan, political, sectarian, or similar nature or purpose' or for functions 'of a personal nature, such as private parties or other social events which are not affiliated with, or in support of, official U.S. Government business,'" the Democratic House committee chairs said.

NBC's analysis of the database of nearly 500 invitees – not all of whom necessarily attended – showed 29% were in the corporate world, 23% were in media and entertainment, 30% worked in politics or government and 14% were diplomats or foreign officials.

The list of people invited to past dinners included country music and television star Reba McEntire, NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy. Also among those invited: Fox News host Laura Ingraham, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Reema bint Bandar.

Much of the planning process and invitations was handled by Pompeo's wife, Susan Pompeo, who used her personal email account to handle contact information for guests, NBC reported. The dinners often included a cocktail hour with a harpist and photographer present.

Ortagus, the State Department spokesperson, told NBC that each Madison Dinner guest "has a stake in America and its leadership in the world."

"Foreign policy-focused social gatherings precisely like these are in the finest tradition of diplomatic and American hospitality and grace," she said. "The secretary looks forward to continuing these Madison Dinners as they are an important component of the execution of his duties as secretary of state."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Pompeo hosted elite 'Madison Dinners' with tax dollars: Report