Pentagon to End Military Education Programs at Harvard

Defense Secretary cites "globalist and radical ideologies" as reason for severing ties with Ivy League school.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Pentagon announced it will discontinue all military training, fellowship, and certificate programs with Harvard University, citing the school's failure to meet the needs of the U.S. military. The move is the latest escalation in an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and Harvard over the White House's demands for institutional reforms.

Why it matters

This decision reflects the growing tensions between the Trump administration and some of the nation's most prestigious universities, which the White House has accused of harboring anti-conservative and anti-military biases. The move could have broader implications for how the military partners with civilian academic institutions.

The details

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that Harvard "no longer meets the needs of the War Department or the military services," accusing the university of instilling "globalist and radical ideologies" in officers who attend its programs. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, the Pentagon will discontinue its graduate-level professional military education, fellowships and certificate programs at Harvard. Similar programs at other Ivy League universities will also be evaluated.

  • The Pentagon announced the decision on Friday, February 7, 2026.
  • The changes will take effect starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Defense Secretary who announced the decision to end military education programs at Harvard.

Harvard University

The Ivy League institution that will no longer host Pentagon-run military training, fellowship, and certificate programs.

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What they’re saying

“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. Instead, 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.”

— Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary (Pentagon statement)

“Harvard is woke; The War Department is not.”

— Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary (X (social media)

What’s next

Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, the Pentagon will discontinue graduate-level professional military education, fellowships and certificate programs at Harvard. Similar programs at other Ivy League universities will be evaluated in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This decision reflects the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and some of the nation's most prestigious universities, which the White House has accused of harboring anti-conservative and anti-military biases. The move could have broader implications for how the military partners with civilian academic institutions in the future.