The defense secretary claims the university’s education programs are indoctrinating the military with “globalist and radical ideologies”
The Defense Department is terminating all professional education partnerships with Harvard University, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth citing the institution’s promotion of progressive ideology, tolerance of anti-Jewish harassment, and engagement in research with Chinese connections.
In a Friday statement, Hegseth announced the department is “formally ending ALL Professional Military Education, fellowships, and certificate programs with Harvard University,” describing the action as “long overdue.”
“Harvard is woke; The War Department is not,” he added.
Hegseth said the Pentagon previously sent “our best and brightest officers” to Harvard in hopes the university would better understand “our warrior class.” However, he claimed that “too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard – heads full of globalist and radical ideologies that do not improve our fighting ranks.”
Hegseth also charged Harvard with fostering an environment that “celebrated Hamas,” “allowed attacks on Jews,” and still “promotes discrimination based on race.” He further alleged that “campus research programs have partnered with the Chinese Communist Party,” noting that comparable arrangements with other institutions would be examined.
The Pentagon stated the termination will begin with the 2026-27 academic year, though currently enrolled personnel will be allowed to complete their studies.
The Trump administration has been in ongoing conflict with Harvard as the university has resisted demands to reform its admissions and governance policies and to strengthen campus discipline following pro-Palestinian protests triggered by the Hamas-Israel war and the unprecedented destruction in Gaza.
The administration previously attempted to suspend Harvard’s federal funding, but in September 2025, a federal judge overturned that decision, ruling that it exceeded governmental authority and that anti-Semitism allegations served as a “smokescreen.”
Trump has since escalated his pressure campaign, stating earlier this month that he would pursue $1 billion in damages from Harvard regarding the anti-Semitism allegations.
Harvard President Alan Garber has dismissed the accusations as political coercion, declaring that “the university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” He added that Harvard has consistently worked to combat anti-Semitism, which he called a “moral imperative.”