Once again it's worth pointing out that the norm of journalism is to NOT have things "off the record". The entire point of journalism is getting things on the record.
state.gov/statement-by-s…
state.gov/statement-by-s…
Now, Washington D.C. is teaming with journalists willing to fudge their ethics in order to get "access" to government leaders. So in D.C., government people have become accustomed to their conversations being off the record, on background, or otherwise anonymous.
It's therefore understandable that Pompeo might assume that his after-interview remarks would be off-the-record. But journalists wouldn't assume that. Journalists default to everything on the record.
I mean, journalists aren't supposed to trick you. They should identify themselves as journalists before asking you questions, for example.
