What does "imminent" mean?

Update below

To the tune of:



(Isaac Cole Powell in the incoming Broadway revival of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.)

“There is no doubt that there were a series
of imminent attacks that were being plotted
by Soleimani. We don’t know precisely when
and we don’t know precisely where but this
was real”--Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

That's so darn imminent,
might already have been sent!
How would you know?
But whenever when it is,
then it is
ready to go!

Over here, over there,
that thing could be anywhere—
past the next bluff!
Or if it's some other hill
there it will
be close enough!

You can't predict it!
You cannot say precisely!
This imminence is nicely
unclear—

Is it real? Sure it is!
If it's not that's just show biz,
I am no fool.
When I called it imminent
I just meant
it would be cool.

It's really scary
and very military,
who knows?
I have just one reply:
we have got to kill that guy!
Maybe tonight.
Maybe tonight.
Maybe tonight.

Update

Pompeo clarifying his working logic here:

POMPEO: “Saying we didn’t know where and when the attacks would happen but also saying they were imminent and would‘ve targeted our embassy are consistent thoughts.”

These guys are so caught in their web of lies it’s actually fascinating to watch. pic.twitter.com/QWISa2gNml

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 10, 2020

Trump was apparently pretty clear in private about what his motivations for the strike on Soleimani were:

The way the strike was handled has drawn scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans. Critics say the decision was hasty, considering the risk of all-out war. They also question whether the intelligence that prompted the action was as clear-cut and alarming as the White House has said, and see the move as doing little to further U.S. interests in the region.

Mr. Trump, after the strike, told associates he was under pressure to deal with Gen. Soleimani from GOP senators he views as important supporters in his coming impeachment trial in the Senate, associates said. (PoliticusUSA picking up on a buried lede from Wall Street Journal)

He killed a man because he thought it might help corrupt his jurors.