Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Columbia University as a fellow, bringing conservative perspective to a campus recently rocked by controversy over Israel and antisemitism concerns.
At a Glance
- Columbia University appointed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to lead a course on diplomacy and leadership
- Pompeo will serve as a fellow at Columbia’s Institute of Global Politics
- The appointment comes amid pressure on elite schools to incorporate more conservative voices
- Pompeo, a strong supporter of Israel, joins as Columbia faces accusations of antisemitism
- Columbia officials emphasized the appointment had been planned for months and was not due to political pressure
Broadening Political Perspectives
Columbia University is taking a step toward ideological diversity with the appointment of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a fellow at its Institute of Global Politics.
Well, we say intellectual diversity. He’s a Republican, but he’s not necessarily a solid Trump Republican.
Pompeo, who served under President Trump will lead a course focusing on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership. The move represents a significant effort by the prestigious university to incorporate conservative viewpoints into its academic environment, particularly as elite educational institutions face increasing scrutiny over perceived political homogeneity.
Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs highlighted the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives, stating, “The Academy cannot be an ivory tower. We should engage with the world because we learn a lot from engaging with practitioners with differing positions and ideologies who also ultimately can learn from us.”
Pompeo’s appointment comes at a contentious time for Columbia, which has been at the center of debates over antisemitism following campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a strong supporter of Israel who shifted U.S. policy on Israeli settlements during his tenure as Secretary of State, Pompeo brings a perspective that contrasts sharply with sentiments expressed during recent campus demonstrations. He has previously criticized Columbia protesters as a “violent, pro-Hamas mob” and supported their arrests.
“I am thrilled to join the Institute and to provide a unique voice defending traditional American values and the Founders’ vision for our great nation, alongside the necessity to support our allies across the world,” Pompeo said in a statement.
Pompeo has also expressed enthusiasm for teaching and promoting what he calls “fair, reasoned, and fact-based discourse.”
His appointment aligns with his stated belief in the importance of educating future leaders about American values. During his diplomatic career, Pompeo oversaw significant foreign policy initiatives, including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and mediating the Abraham Accords, experiences that will inform his academic contributions.
With the news from Jeff Bezos that the Washington Post is embracing conservatives, is this news about Pompeo an indication that America might slowly be returning to sanity?
