Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersJacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee Trump campaign plays up Biden's skills ahead of Cleveland debate: 'He's actually quite good' Young voters backing Biden by 2:1 margin: poll MORE (I-Vt.) said Monday that he will oppose Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill US issues Iran sanctions to enforce UN action ignored by international community MORE to lead the State Department days before his nomination hearing.

"Mike Pompeo is absolutely the wrong choice to serve as the United States’ top diplomat, and I will vote against him," Sanders said in a statement.

Pompeo, who is currently CIA director, is slated to testify before the Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

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Sanders isn't a member of the panel and previously opposed Pompeo's nomination to lead the CIA.

He added on Monday that "we need a secretary of State who will represent the best principles of the United States to the rest of the world."

Sanders pointed to Pompeo's position on climate change, "longstanding relationship with anti-Muslim extremists" and "hawkish" foreign policy views.

Potential 2020 White House contenders, including Sanders, have taken some of the firmest positions against Trump's nominees.

But because nominations only need a simple majority, Pompeo could skate through without any Democratic support.

Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.) has said he will oppose Pompeo, leaving Republicans with the 50 minimum votes if every other GOP senator supports it.

But he could also pick up Democratic support. More than a dozen Democratic senators voted for Pompeo's nomination for CIA chief.