Never Give an Inch Summary

Sometimes, putting America first means taking risks—because in this mean, nasty world, safety isn't guaranteed without strength and resolve.

1. Patriotism Drives Decision-Making

Mike Pompeo firmly aligns his decisions with a core belief: putting America first. This guiding principle shaped his tenure as Secretary of State and underpinned his foreign policy actions. He believes America stands as the largest beacon of opportunity, where anyone who works relentlessly can succeed, a notion he holds from his own rise from West Point graduate to CIA Director and Secretary of State.

Working under President Trump, he admired the president's unapologetic focus on American sovereignty. Trump’s approach resonated with Pompeo, especially in controversial moves such as withdrawing from the Paris Agreement to avoid what they saw as damage to the U.S. economy. Pompeo saw these decisions as necessary for ensuring America's betterment above all else.

His commitment extended to personal risk. Negotiations with leaders in adversarial nations, like attempts at North Korean denuclearization, showed Pompeo's boldness. Despite threats, including needing a security detail even for mundane tasks like grocery shopping, Pompeo’s philosophy of "America first" remained his moral compass.

Examples

• Trump’s slogan "America First" deeply influenced Pompeo’s policy priorities.
• He did not shy away from risks, meeting North Korean leadership to discuss nuclear issues.
• Pompeo assembled a team of “pipehitters,” individuals unafraid to fight for what’s right regardless of obstacles.

2. Faith Shapes Foreign Policy

Mike Pompeo openly connects his Christian faith to his professional life, unapologetically grounding his worldview in his religious beliefs. For him, religious freedom is non-negotiable, both abroad and within the U.S., because he sees every human as made in the image of God and deserving respect and dignity.

His commitment to faith often brought him criticism, especially when he spoke of Christian values during international trips. For example, during a speech in Cairo to a predominantly Muslim audience, Pompeo remarked that he keeps an open Bible on his desk. Risky as that was, it earned him gratitude and respect from many, including Muslim listeners who appreciated his honesty.

Among his most vocal stances were denouncements of the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China. He labeled the Chinese government’s actions as the greatest crisis of religious freedom in modern times and worked tirelessly to call attention to the atrocities, framing his efforts within his religious commitment to defend human dignity.

Examples

• Pompeo boldly discussed his Christian identity even when it invited criticism.
• He received supportive letters from Muslims who appreciated his truthful engagement.
• He pushed to classify China’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide, rooted in his belief in protecting human dignity.

3. Balancing Moral Outrage and Strategic Necessity

Pompeo addresses a controversial moment from his career: the handling of Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Despite his personal horror at the journalist’s killing by Saudi agents, Pompeo prioritized the broader implications for American foreign policy, emphasizing the balance between moral outrage and strategic alliances.

Maintaining good relations with Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, was essential for fighting Islamic terrorism and curbing Iran’s influence. He and President Trump faced staunch criticism for their approach but stressed that losing such an important ally would endanger American interests and security further.

Pompeo recounts heated exchanges with critics over this decision, holding his ground that compromises are sometimes inevitable in foreign policy. He describes such measures as decisions made for the “sake of 330 million Americans,” illustrating the complex realities of diplomacy.

Examples

• Despite outrage, the U.S. prioritized Saudi Arabia’s alliance in Middle Eastern stability.
• Pompeo and Trump clarified their stance, taking a pragmatic rather than moralistic approach.
• At a private dinner, Pompeo adamantly defended his choices before critics.

4. Peace Through Strength

Pompeo frequently underscores the need for America to remain a "strong horse" in international affairs. Strength, both in perception and reality, keeps adversaries like Vladimir Putin in check. His framework for dealing with threats lies in deterrence—convincing aggressors that any attack would lead to dire consequences.

He notes the Trump administration's military action in Syria as an instance of projecting U.S. power. He contrasts this robust approach with the perceived weakness of subsequent administrations, arguing that Russia’s eventual invasion of Ukraine occurred because deterrence lines had eroded.

Pompeo emphasizes how the mere possibility of U.S. retaliation can serve as a shield, preventing attacks and fostering stability. He stresses that continuing this approach is necessary, even in an increasingly hostile geopolitical landscape.

Examples

• He cites actions in Syria as effective demonstrations of U.S. strength.
• The State Department under his watch reaffirmed, “Crimea is Ukraine.”
• His administration provided Ukraine with weapons and strategic training, dissuading Russian aggression at the time.

5. Feared China’s Growing Aggression

Mike Pompeo identifies China as the greatest threat to the United States, warning against its pursuit of global dominance under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He describes Xi Jinping as an authoritarian determined to reshape world order, with plans such as seizing Taiwan and economic warfare through unfair trade practices.

Pompeo’s tenure saw him take bold stances against CCP injustices, labeling the treatment of Uyghur Muslims as genocide. The CCP’s infiltration into global business, academia, and personal data collection through platforms like TikTok adds layers to its threat in Pompeo’s view.

Even in the face of political risks, including a reprimand from Trump after Pompeo publicly criticized China’s mishandling of the Covid-19 outbreak, Pompeo persisted in holding the regime accountable. He warns that ignoring the threat posed by China risks severe repercussions for global stability.

Examples

• Pompeo labeled CCP actions as violent genocidal persecution.
• He raised alarms about TikTok and Chinese infiltration into business ecosystems.
• His crackdown on China’s role in Covid-19 drew personal and political backlash.

6. Risk-Taking as Leadership

Pompeo sees leadership as synonymous with bold, calculated risk-taking. He highlights his own career moments where stepping into high-stakes situations was unavoidable. From advancing delicate negotiations with foreign adversaries to speaking hard truths on global platforms, Pompeo often embraced the dangers tied to his role.

Whether personally interacting with North Korean officials to push denuclearization or advocating for dangerous missions as CIA Director, Pompeo believes that true leaders should never shy away from the tough decisions necessary to safeguard broader objectives.

He felt this commitment most strongly when assembling his teams. He deliberately sought "pipehitters"—people prepared to fight difficult battles for the interest of 330 million Americans.

Examples

• Pompeo balanced personal safety and diplomacy, facing threats regularly.
• Engaged North Korea’s leadership directly despite sensitive stakes.
• Stocked both the CIA and State Department with bold, risk-ready collaborators.

7. Public Honesty Matters

From discussing faith publicly to calling out adversarial nations, Pompeo places high value on honesty. He believes suppressing truths for convenience undermines trust and destabilizes global diplomacy. His open approach often earned him criticism but just as frequently garnered respect for its authenticity.

This drive for honesty extended to matters like his critiques of the CCP or addressing religious persecution regardless of potential backlash. Candid moments, like speaking at length about defense against terrorism after Khashoggi’s death, reflect his commitment to transparency.

Finally, public acknowledgment of moral values helped Pompeo connect with global audiences. Letters from admirers—many belonging to diverse faiths—testified to the appreciation for his open nature.

Examples

• Identified China as a leading global threat despite political risks.
• Spoke about faith even in contexts where it was potentially divisive.
• Received positive feedback, including naming a child after him.

8. Values as Guiding Compass

Pompeo credits deeply ingrained values—Christianity, patriotism, and loyalty—as his North Star. In moments of difficult choices, those guiding concepts enabled him to act decisively amid external criticism. For Pompeo, value-based leadership sets a framework that never falters.

Even controversial topics, like navigating U.S.–Saudi relationships after Khashoggi’s murder, rest on those values. He reflects that staying true to these principles does not guarantee popularity but secures personal integrity.

Through various roles, Pompeo’s consistency exemplifies how adherence to values builds resilience. He ties leadership success to remaining anchored in foundational beliefs.

Examples

• Christianity focused Pompeo on combating religious persecution globally.
• Patriotism justified decisions that prioritized America despite global backlash.
• Multicultural letters expressed respect for his spiritually driven diplomacy.

9. America’s Responsibilities Abroad

Pompeo stresses that America, as a leading power, has a responsibility to promote peace and defend oppressed communities worldwide. His advocacy for diplomatic involvement means safeguarding both domestic goals and aiding global neighbors from dictatorships or terrorism.

He believes nations falter when they fear global engagement. As America sets precedence internationally, Pompeo outlines the importance of the U.S. retaining its role as "the strong horse" others rely upon for fairness, deterrence, and order.

Pompeo recommends proactive diplomacy intertwined with calculated risk-taking to keep adversaries in line while honoring America’s foundational promise: life, liberty, and justice for all whom their power might assist.

Examples

• Defense statements ensured Cold War-style deterrence against Russian aggression.
• Accountability declarations cited CCP genocides, planting seeds of reform.
• Coupled moral values with pragmatic interventions in Middle Eastern politics.

Takeaways

1. Place strong values at the heart of every leadership decision to ground actions with consistency and integrity.
2. Speak truthfully and openly, even in the face of criticism, as transparency often builds trust over time.
3. Maintain America’s strength in international relations—perception and reality both hold influence against adversaries.