POMPEO: Why I’m Thankful for Faith, Family, the Rule of Law, and Our Unique American Spirit

This Thanksgiving, Americans across the country will spend a wonderful time at home filled with good food and family.  Personally, I’m looking forward to spending some joyful time with my wife, Susan, along with our son Nick and his wife, Rachael.  On this Thanksgiving, I am particularly mindful of the exceptional blessings for which all Americans should be thankful. Contrary to the narratives forced on us by societal influences – be they in the media, academia, or our own government – America remains a nation of excellence and greatness, like no other in history.  Ours is a country defined by faith, family, the rule of law, and our unique American spirit.  So long as we remain true to – and thankful for – these amazing blessings, I am confident America will achieve another 250 years of greatness.

I am most thankful for the freedom to worship as we please and practice our faith.  Religious freedom is not just a fundamental right; it is the bedrock of all our liberties.  Our Founders understood that a free people must be free to worship as they choose, without interference from any earthly power.  Commitment to this principle has allowed communities of believers to thrive throughout America’s history, serving as wellsprings of compassion, charity, and moral guidance for our nation.  Indeed, our churches and synagogues serve as an essential reminder that the highest authority in our country – indeed in the world and all the universe – sits not in the Oval Office, but above all things. This Thanksgiving and every day, we should give thanks that we live in a country that defends our right to worship freely and resolves to defend it against those who would diminish it to advance their own petty political agendas.

Equally essential is the rule of law. Our Founders bequeathed to us a nation of laws, with the understanding that any free nation must be governed by impartial and fair laws.  The rule of law protects the weak from the powerful, guarantees our freedoms, and provides the stability needed for families and businesses to flourish; yet today, this principle is under attack by those who seek to undermine it for political gain or to sow chaos in pursuit of their political goals.  In just the past four years, the Biden Administration weaponized the Department of Justice to go after its political enemies, from ordinary Americans all the way up to President-elect Trump.  These political prosecutions were always wrong and at odds with the Constitution, and all Americans should be grateful that this model of politicized justice was decisively rejected by the American people in our recent elections.  Further, when we see institutions meant to advance justice co-opted for political and ideological purposes, as was the case when the ICC absurdly issued arrest warrants for top Israeli leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we should stand firmly against it.

We must also celebrate and protect the American spirit – that unique blend of optimism, resilience, and determination that has powered our nation through its greatest trials and triumphs. The American spirit drove pioneers to settle the wild frontier when this holiday began.  Today, it drives innovators to feed, support, and transform the world – but it also must be defended and championed without apology.  We must teach our children to take pride in their country and its history, and to embrace hard work, self-reliance, and personal responsibility.  From the farmer in Kansas to the entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, it is through the cultivation of this spirit that America will continue to achieve greatness.

Finally, I urge you to remember those who are sacrificing to protect all of us, in particular the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.  It is thanks to these incredible warriors that we get to live in peace and freedom, so spare a thought and say a prayer for them as you enjoy your time with family this week.  As ever, we should be grateful for our extraordinary country, look for every chance to serve it, and hold to the enduring belief that the best days of America are yet to come. May God bless you and your family, and may He continue to bless this great land we are so privileged to call home.