Pentagon Cuts Ties with 'Woke' Harvard

Defense Secretary cites 'globalist and radical ideologies' as reason for ending military training and fellowship programs.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Pentagon announced it is cutting all military training, fellowships, and certificate programs with Harvard University, citing the school's 'woke' ideology that does not align with the military's needs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that too many officers returned from Harvard 'looking too much like Harvard' with 'globalist and radical ideologies'.

Why it matters

This move marks the latest development in the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard over the White House's demands for reforms at the prestigious Ivy League institution. The Pentagon's decision to sever ties with Harvard reflects the administration's broader campaign to bring the nation's top universities in line with its conservative agenda.

The details

Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, the Pentagon will discontinue graduate-level professional military education, fellowships and certificate programs with Harvard. Personnel currently attending classes at Harvard will be allowed to finish their courses. The military offers officers opportunities to get graduate-level education at both military war colleges and civilian institutions like Harvard, which can make them more attractive employees after leaving the service.

  • The Pentagon announced the decision on February 8, 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 Pentagon's decision to cut ties with Harvard.

Harvard University

The Ivy League institution that the Pentagon is severing military training and fellowship programs with, citing the school's 'woke' ideology.

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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 (mynbc5.com)

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

— Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary (X)

What’s next

The Pentagon's decision will take effect starting in the 2026-27 academic year, and personnel currently attending Harvard will be allowed to finish their courses.

The takeaway

This move by the Pentagon reflects the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard over the White House's demands for reforms at the prestigious university. It underscores the administration's efforts to align the nation's top institutions with its conservative agenda, even at the expense of longstanding military-academic partnerships.