Hundreds of guests ‘spurned invite’ to Pompeo Christmas party amid pandemic

Hundreds of dinner guests spurned invites to a holiday party hosted by Mike Pompeo and his wife following fears from officials that the event could have functioned as a superspreader, according to a report.

Two US officials familiar with the event reportedly told The Washington Post that fewer than 70 of 900 invited guests turned up to the indoor gathering held at the state department on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, Mr Pompeo, the United States Secretary of State, appeared on the invitation to the gathering and was slated to speak at the event, but later cancelled his speech and deferred to a substitute speaker.

The gathering was reportedly held to thank family members of diplomats serving overseas in dangerous postings that require them to leave their lives in the US behind.

On Wednesday, the state department announced that Mr Pompeo has gone into quarantine after reported contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

The department said that Mr Pompeo had tested negative for the novel virus  but was self-isolating after coming into contact with an unidentified infected person.

Health officials across the country have urged Americans to avoid travel and large gatherings amid the holiday season to help stem the surge of coronavirus, which continues to surge across the nation.

According to The Post, the state department said masks and social distancing guidelines would be in force at the diplomat holiday event, but photos reportedly showed attendees removing masks to eat food and drink.

One invitee is said to have told the newspaper that she declined to attend the event over fears that if she fell ill at the party no one would have been able to take care of their children as her spouse remained overseas.

Two other invitees who reportedly spoke to the newspaper said they thought the event put diplomats, their families, and staff at risk.

Current restrictions in Washington DC limit indoor gatherings to 10 people, however, federal properties are excluded from these restrictions.

The party is said to have included drinks, boxed meals, and a visit from a masked Santa, according to the two officials and photographs taken during the event obtained by The Post.

The state department did not immediately respond to The Independent’s request for comment on the event.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump defended the White House’s decision to maintain a packed calendar throughout the holiday season during the pandemic which contradicts overarching guidance from health experts.

“They’re Christmas parties and, frankly, we’ve reduced the number very substantially as you know,” Mr Trump told reporters on 8 December.

“And I see a lot of people at the parties wearing masks and I would say that I look out at the audience at those parties and we have a lot of people wearing masks and I think that’s a good thing.”

US lawmakers have expressed concern over the gatherings, including Sen Robert Menendez, who called on Mr Pompeo to cancel similar gatherings.

“I am concerned that these parties pose a significant health risk, not only to attendees, but to the employees and workers who must staff these events, as well as to State Department employees who may feel pressured to attend,” he said in a letter to Mr Pompeo.

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 16.8 million people across the US since the outbreak gripped the country in March, leading to the deaths of over 304,000 people.