In a significant policy shift announced on a recent Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense will cease all programs involving professional military education, fellowships, and certificate offerings with Harvard University. This action represents a heightened phase in the administration's efforts to re-evaluate and reduce military partnerships with some of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions.
Secretary Hegseth publicly declared the termination through the social media platform X, explicitly characterizing Harvard as "woke," a term often used in current political discourse to describe perceived progressive activism. By halting these programs, the Pentagon is severing a longstanding educational link that has been part of officer development and specialized research training.
This decision fits within a broader context of increasing scrutiny by the administration towards major universities, particularly those with high profiles like Harvard. Several issues have drawn the federal spotlight, including the universities' handling of political demonstrations such as pro-Palestinian protests, which have been framed in opposition to the United States' ally, Israel. Additional concerns cited involve institutional diversity initiatives, policies surrounding transgender individuals, and engagement in climate change advocacy.
Secretary Hegseth has voiced critical opinions about elite academic establishments in the past. For instance, in 2023, he notably diminished Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania's status, stating they should not be viewed as truly elite but rather as institutions with high costs without commensurate value.
In terms of financial repercussions, this recent Pentagon action follows President Donald Trump's earlier demands for Harvard to pay $1 billion in damages due to alleged obstruction of federal investigations. Concurrently, the administration has frozen federal funding streams and withdrawn research grants amounting to several hundred million dollars. These fiscal measures serve as substantial pressure points in the ongoing conflict.
As of the announcement, Harvard has not issued a public response to the Pentagon's program termination. Previously, the university had engaged in legal challenges against the administration’s funding restrictions. These legal disputes escalated tensions, culminating in calls from the president for a sizeable $500 million settlement to resolve the matters.