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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. FIREwrote MIT the next day, asking the university for clarity regarding Pompeo’s allegation of censorship and offering MIT’s new president, Sally Kornbluth, ��֭����’s support in advancing free expression on campus as she becomes acquainted with her new role.

 On January 30, Kornbluth responded challenging Pompeo’s characterization of viewpoint discrimination, instead citing a COVID policy banning gatherings of more than 10 people, which had been applied to multiple event requests, including Pompeo’s. Kornbluth said she was committed to promoting free speech initiatives during her tenure at MIT.