A decisive break has occurred between the Department of War and Harvard University, signaling a dramatic shift in how the military cultivates its leadership. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday the complete termination of all professional military education programs, fellowships, and certificate programs with the prestigious Ivy League institution, effective with the 2026–27 school year.
Hegseth delivered a stark message, stating plainly, “Harvard is woke; The War Department is not.” This move, he asserted, was “long overdue,” reflecting a growing concern over the university’s ideological direction and its potential impact on military personnel.
Despite holding a master’s degree from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government himself, Hegseth voiced strong criticism of the university’s current climate. He characterized Harvard as a “red-hot center of Hate America activism,” alleging a pervasive anti-military sentiment among its faculty.
The Secretary argued that too many professors openly disparage the armed forces, stifling dissenting viewpoints while simultaneously demanding exorbitant tuition fees. He believes this environment actively undermines the values and principles the military strives to uphold.
This decision arrives amidst an escalating conflict between the current administration and Harvard, with accusations of fostering antisemitism and promoting “woke” ideology. A legal battle is underway regarding $2.7 billion in frozen federal research funding, with the administration seeking an additional $1 billion in damages from the university.
Hegseth’s concerns extend beyond academic discourse, alleging that Harvard’s research programs have engaged with the Chinese Communist Party and that the campus environment has become permissive towards anti-Israel sentiment and prioritizes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives over core American values.
The core question, according to Hegseth, is whether the War Department should financially support an institution perceived as detrimental to the nation’s interests. His answer is unequivocal: it should not, and it will not.
For years, the department had sent its most promising officers to Harvard, hoping to foster understanding and appreciation for the military. Instead, Hegseth claims, many returned with ideologies that are “globalist and radical,” ultimately weakening the fighting force.
The critique isn’t limited to Harvard; Hegseth identified a “pervasive institutional bias” and a lack of viewpoint diversity across much of the Ivy League. He accused these institutions of “coddling toxic ideologies” that actively undermine the military’s mission.
In the coming weeks, all departments within the Pentagon will conduct a thorough evaluation of existing graduate programs for active-duty service members, not only at Ivy League schools but also at other civilian universities. The focus will be on cost-effectiveness and strategic value.
The ultimate goal, Hegseth emphasized, is to maximize taxpayer value and build a more lethal and deterrent military force. He stated plainly that this no longer includes investing in expensive universities that actively work against those objectives.
Hegseth concluded with a forceful statement: “We train warriors, not wokesters. Harvard, good riddance.” The decision marks a significant departure in the relationship between the military and one of the nation’s most prominent academic institutions.
