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Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Administrators Disinvite Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Allegedly for Criticism of China

Cases

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Case Overview

On January 26, 2023, it was reported that former Secretary of State and former CIA Director Mike Pompeo alleges in his new book, “Never Give an Inch,” that Massachusetts Institute of Technology canceled a planned campus speech in 2020 over concerns that Pompeo’s criticism of China would jeopardize the university’s substantial funding from Chinese sources. FIRE wrote MIT the next day, asking the university for clarity regarding Pompeo’s allegation of censorship and offering MIT’s new president, Sally Kornbluth, FIRE’s support in advancing free expression on campus as she becomes acquainted with her new role.