Democratic presidential contender Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s sit-down with Henry Kissinger, calling Kissinger “one of the most destructive Secretaries of State in the history of this country.”
Kissinger served as secretary of state under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. His tenure comprised many controversial decisions during the Nixon administration, including the United States’ involvement in the overthrow of Salvador Allende in Chile.
Allende’s replacement was Augusto Pinochet, who tortured and murdered tens of thousands of Chileans as he attempted to maintain control of the country.
“Henry Kissinger was one of the most destructive Secretaries of State in the history of this country,” Sanders tweeted Sunday in response to a tweet from Pompeo saying he was “always grateful for … conversations” with Kissinger. “A Sanders administration will not be taking advice from Henry Kissinger,” the Vermont senator added.
Sanders’ indignation of Kissinger was evident during the 2016 presidential election when he slammed Hillary Clinton’s embrace of the former secretary of state.
"I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend," Sanders said angrily during a debate. "I will not take advice from Henry Kissinger."
Clinton replied by asking Sanders from whom he would take advice. "Well, it ain't Henry Kissinger, that's for sure," he replied.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.