Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headlines annual Faith & Freedom BBQ in Anderson

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headlined Congressman Jeff Duncan's annual Faith & Freedom BBQ Monday evening.

Nearly 2,000 attendees heard from Pompeo, along with Gov. Henry McMaster and Sen. Tim Scott, as they delivered on topics of freedom, inflation and independent energy.

"We're focusing on how great it is to be an American," Duncan said. "Our ability to worship and be free."

Here are some highlights from the 11th annual event:

• Duncan spoke on the recent spikes in gas, grocery, housing and interest rates, citing the new Inflation Reduction Act. "The new bill does nothing to reduce inflation in a timely manner," he said.

• Scott used a biblical verse regarding "the truth" to challenge the crowd to not be misguided by tangible issues. "Without the faith component, the politics don't matter," Scott said. "If you want to know what it means to be an American, we're going to have to fight for it."

• McMaster spent his time onstage denouncing the closing of many businesses and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic but also mentioned, "South Carolina never closed." McMaster also discussed income tax cuts, additional benefits for first responders, raising starting teacher's pay and statewide broadband expansion.

• Pompeo gave insight on his time working as secretary of state, stating he knows a "bad guy" when he sees onein dealing with Israel, attempting to aid Ukraine and America's departure from war in the middle east.

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A.J. Jackson is a general assignment reporter for the Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com with story ideas and leads, also follow him on Twitter @AJhappened

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Mike Pompeo, Gov. McMasters at Jeff Duncan's Faith & Freedom BBQ