The Pentagon announced on Friday that it is severing ties with Harvard University, which includes the termination of all military training, fellowships, and certificate programs associated with the Ivy League institution. This decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard, particularly concerning the administration's demands for institutional reforms.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided insights in a statement, indicating that Harvard "no longer meets the needs of the War Department or the military services." He elaborated on this point by sharing concerns that too many military officers returned from Harvard with perspectives that align more with globalist and radical ideologies, rather than those that enhance the effectiveness of the military. "For too long, this department has sent our best and brightest officers to Harvard, hoping the university would better understand and appreciate our warrior class," Hegseth stated.
In expressing his views on social media, Hegseth labeled Harvard as "woke," contrasting it with the "non-woke" philosophy of the War Department. The Pentagon's decision will take effect starting with the 2026-27 academic year, though current personnel enrolled at Harvard will be permitted to complete their ongoing courses. Additionally, Hegseth indicated that similar programs at other Ivy League universities will be reviewed in the upcoming weeks.
It is notable that Hegseth himself is a Harvard alumnus who, in a symbolic gesture, returned his diploma during a Fox News segment in 2022. A social media account associated with the Pentagon, managed by Hegseth's office, had recently shared this clip, highlighting his discontent with the institution.
The military offers various educational opportunities for officers, including graduate-level education at both military-run war colleges and civilian institutions like Harvard. While attending prestigious civilian schools does not directly enhance a servicemember's military career, it can significantly improve their employability once they transition out of the military.
Harvard has been a focal point of President Donald Trump’s administration, which has consistently targeted the university in its broader campaign against elite educational institutions. The administration has previously cut billions in federal research funding to Harvard and attempted to prevent it from enrolling foreign students, especially following the university's resistance to a series of government demands last April.
The administration has explicitly stated that its actions against Harvard are retaliatory for the institution's purported tolerance of anti-Jewish bias on campus. In defense, Harvard leaders have argued that they are facing illegal retaliation for not conforming to the administration’s ideological preferences. This disagreement has led Harvard to initiate legal proceedings against the administration, which resulted in favorable rulings for Harvard from a federal judge, though the administration is currently appealing these decisions.
Despite a brief easing of tensions over the summer, when Trump alluded to a potentially imminent agreement, no resolution materialized. The president recently intensified demands, insisting on a payment of $1 billion from Harvard as part of any negotiations for the restoration of federal funding, which is double the amount previously stipulated.
