Army Secretary Cuts Ties with Harvard
Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that he is terminating all military education, fellowship, and certification programs with Harvard University—an institution from which he himself holds a master’s degree.
“Harvard is waking up,” Hegseth remarked in a video shared on X. “The War Department has not woken up.”
Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, active duty military personnel will no longer participate in programs at Harvard, which Hegseth described as a “long overdue” decision.
Hegseth criticized many top universities for squandering America’s values of “free speech and open inquiry.” He specifically pointed to Harvard, saying, “I know that very well.”
He highlighted Harvard’s historical connection to the military, recalling that General George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Harvard Yard in 1775. Throughout history, military service has been a part of life at Harvard, he noted.
“More Medal of Honor recipients from our country attend Harvard University than any other civilian institution in the United States,” he stated. “Yet today, this university, benefiting from billions of federal tax dollars, has become a center for hateful American activity.”
Hegseth continued, emphasizing that many faculty members show open disdain for the military, charging high tuition while fostering a negative atmosphere for those who might question their progressive ideologies. He believes this shift has replaced open debate with strict conformity. “We need leaders who can approach problems from various angles,” he added.
The secretary also condemned what he described as Harvard’s alignment with leftist agendas, alleging that its research programs have ties to the Chinese Communist Party and that its leadership creates a campus atmosphere that endorses harmful behavior towards Jews.
He added, “It still promotes race-based discrimination in violation of Supreme Court rulings.” Hegseth mentioned that initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion originated at Harvard, expressing gratitude towards President Trump for working to address these issues.
Reports indicate that Trump is seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard following a legal dispute over a $2.7 billion funding freeze linked to the university’s refusal to combat anti-Semitism and eliminate DEI initiatives.
In his video, Hegseth didn’t limit his critique to Harvard. He alleged that other Ivy League schools display significant institutional bias, failing to foster diverse viewpoints and endorsing harmful ideologies.
The Pentagon is looking into supporting existing programs for active duty service members at Ivy League and other civilian institutions, in an effort to assess the cost-effectiveness of the education provided compared to public universities or military graduate programs.
As he wrapped up his address, Hegseth reiterated his position on Harvard, saying, “We don’t train warriors, we don’t train awakeners, Harvard University, okay.”
