Because Islam has nothing to do with it.

Via Boston Globe

Mike Pompeo, President Trump’s new nominee for secretary of state, quickly came under scrutiny Tuesday as critics pointed to remarks he made after the Boston Marathon bombings as proof that he holds anti-Muslim views.

The comments could become one of several flash points in what is shaping up to be a contentious nomination fight, further complicating Trump’s latest effort to remake his administration.

Two months after the Marathon bombings, Pompeo, then a House member from Kansas, delivered a speech saying that Muslim religious leaders were “potentially complicit” in the terrorist attacks because they had not forcefully condemned the bombing.

The comments resurfaced on Tuesday as Pompeo prepares for Senate confirmation hearings for the Cabinet’s most prominent position, a process in which senators will probe his world view and his approach to international diplomacy.

Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he plans to ask Pompeo about his 2013 statements.

“Director Pompeo’s remarks in the wake of the Boston terrorist bombing are deeply concerning and belie a lack of understanding of what is needed from America’s chief diplomat, whose job it is to build alliances and bridge differences,” Markey said.

On Tuesday, Muslim advocates said Pompeo’s mischaracterizations should give every senator pause for confirming him.

“Donald Trump has already done a fair amount to castigate and stigmatize Muslims around the world,” said Faiz Shakir, the national political director of the American Civil Liberties Union. “Now he has a secretary of state nominee who shares his ideology of fearing Muslims.”

Scott Simpson, public advocacy director for the Washington-based civil rights group Muslim Advocates, questioned Tuesday why Pompeo expected Muslims to condemn violence they had nothing to do with.

“This is not someone who has taken reasonable positions on Muslims; this is someone who has decided to really use offensive and divisive rhetoric,” Simpson said.