The US Department of Defense is cutting all academic ties with Harvard University. Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Ivy League school promotes “anti-American” views, calling it a hub of “hate-America activism.” This means the Pentagon will stop sending military personnel to Harvard for graduate-level programs, fellowships, and certificates. Hegseth criticized Harvard for encouraging ideas he calls “woke” and radical, saying the university’s influence does not help improve the military.
He claimed that too many officers returned from Harvard with “globalist and radical” ideas that weakened the force. He described Harvard as a center where “hate-America activism” thrives, which conflicts with the Pentagon’s focus on strength and readiness. This is not the first time Harvard has faced pressure from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has accused Harvard of promoting “woke” ideologies and antisemitism. He recently demanded $1 billion in damages from the university after earlier negotiations for $200 million fell through. Trump said Harvard spreads misinformation and feeds biased narratives to the media.
Hegseth also cited Harvard’s research partnerships with China as a reason for ending cooperation. Between 2010 and 2025, Harvard received $560 million from Chinese donors, foundations, and government projects. The Pentagon is concerned that these activities could compromise national security. The secretary also criticized the university’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus, claiming it created an environment that supported Hamas and allowed attacks on Jewish students. Hegseth himself earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School in 2013 but returned his diploma in 2022 to protest the school’s classes on critical race theory. The Pentagon plans to end its programs with Harvard this autumn but will allow current military students to finish their studies. Hegseth said he is also considering ending relationships with other top universities if they share similar issues. Harvard has not yet commented on the latest decision.
